Brainsgiving, the annual fundraiser to benefit neurological causes,
is back for its fifth hilarious year in support of Toronto Rehab’s Neuro Rehabilitation Program. On
May 12, 2012, Brainsgiving will, once again, feature a roster of brilliant stand-up and sketch comedy
artists.
This year’s line-up boasts some of Toronto's hottest, award winning comedians: Ryan Belleville,
comedy festival circuit regular, including five appearances at Just For Laughs; Sara Hennessey,
four-star Toronto Fringe Festival performer, Much Music Video On Trial; Paul Hutcheson, Winnipeg
International Fringe Festival, London Fringe Festival, OutTV, Canuck Cabaret and Queer Pride 2011
at Buddies; Andrew Ivimey, finalist in the 2010 Comedy Brawl; Jape, official selection at the Toronto
Sketch Comedy Festival, The Montreal Sketch Comedy Festival and the Chicago Sketch Comedy
Festival; Chelsea Manders, winner 2010 Canadian Comedy Award, Best Solo Show; The National
Theatre of the World, winner of the Canadian Comedy Award 2011 for Best Improv Troupe; Vest of
Friends, winner of the 2011 Toronto Sketchfest Producer's Pick Award; and Fraser Young of
Comedy NOW!, who had his own comedy special, broadcast on CTV and The Comedy Network in
Canada, is a regular on Much Music’s Video On Trial and a writer on George Stroumboulopoulos
Tonight.

In April 2001, Brainsgiving founder and brains of the operation, Amanda Terfloth, was diagnosed
with a pituitary tumour that would require a lifetime of side-effect inducing medication. Fortunately,
Amanda sought a second opinion and that December, Dr. Harley Smyth of St. Michael's Hospital
successfully removed the tumour, allowing Amanda to live a relatively normal life. For the next five
years she celebrated “Brainsgiving” with friends and family and in 2007 decided to turn it into a
fundraiser to support other neuro patients. Her amazing friends in the Toronto creative community
helped to bring the event to a growing audience of supporters.
This year, Brainsgiving’s neuro-comedy show will be held on May 12 at 9 p.m. at O’Grady’s on
College, 171 College St. (2nd floor), Toronto. Tickets are $20 (a bargain at $6.66 per lb when you
consider that the average brain weighs 3 lbs) and can be reserved in advance at
tickets@brainsgiving.com or purchased May 12 at the door. Brainsgiving will donate 100% of the
door and raffle proceeds to the Neuro Rehabilitation Program at Toronto Rehab.

NEW FOR THIS YEAR: The @Brainsgiving twitter will be running on THEME WEEKS leading up to the
big night on May 12, 2012. Eavesdrop on the brains of five comedy writers as they go through a
major life event each week. .For full details of this new experiment check out:
http://www.brainsgiving.com/brainsgiving-explained/