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Canadian rockers Rush donate $40K to Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research

Pierre Gauthier/KEYSTONE Press.

Veteran Canadian rock trio Rush is making a generous gesture by making a whopping $40,000 donation to the Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research. The fund was set up to honour the Tragically Hip front man, who earlier this year revealed he’s been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund brain cancer research at Toronto’s Sunnybrook Hospital.

During Canadian Music Week in April 2017, Rush will be honoured with the Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award, and have announced they’ll be donating $40,000 of the proceeds to the fund.

WATCH BELOW: Gord Downie performs ‘Secret Path’ in Ottawa

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Gord Downie performs ‘Secret Path’ in Ottawa

The award, which recognizes Canadian music acts for their philanthropical efforts, is then donated to the recipient’s charity of choice, with Rush members Geddy Lee, Neil Peart and Alex Lifeson naming the Gord Downie Fund in an announcement on the band’s official website.

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READ MORE: Facebook Busts Group Selling Bootleg Gord Downie T-Shirts, Claims Of Charity Donation Apparently Bogus

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“We are pleased to direct this generous donation from the Allan Slaight Humanitarian award to the Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research at Sunnybrook,” says the band in a joint statement

“Many Canadian families have been affected either directly or indirectly by this terrible disease,” adds Rush. “Through Gord’s courageous efforts this cause is now getting the attention it desperately deserves. As a fellow musician and friend it’s our turn to help support his efforts to fight Brain Cancer now.” 

In an interview with CBC Music earlier this year, Rush front man Geddy Lee revealed he’s a longtime fan of The Tragically Hip, describing the Hip as “certainly one of the greatest bands we’ve ever produced in this country.”

He added: “The first time you listen to one of their records it kind of sneaks up on you. It sounds simpler than it is. There is a particular way the power of those guitars work together.… [They] always sound sinewy and muscular. Then you put Gord’s voice and his lyrics on top of that, and after repeated listening, you really start to love it. It just gets inside you. I think that’s a trademark of the Hip.”
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