![joe-carr.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/headline_image_1024_x_577/public/joe-carr.jpg?itok=yQrOsnR6)
Longtime Standardbred breeder and owner Joe Carr of London, Ont. may not be one of harness racing's household names, but his live-saving generosity has certainly cemented him there in other circles.
On Thursday, Carr announced a $700,000 donation to London Health Sciences Foundation in support of research and education initiatives at London Health Sciences Centre’s London Regional Cancer Program.
This latest gift raises Carr’s total donations supporting local cancer research to more than $1 million.
Horses bred and raised by Carr typically sport the Azucar prefix, with racehorses such as $100,000 earner Azucar Amelia having recent success on the B tracks.
Carr has contributed to LHSF for more than a decade, including his first major gift of $300,000 in 2011 to support clinical trials and research at London Regional Cancer Program. The roots of Carr’s generosity go back to his mother, Mildred, who was honoured with the naming of a conference room in her name.
“When my father died, she raised seven kids on her own,” says Carr. “She didn’t have much in the way of funds and dealt with hardly any income.”
Carr always felt grateful for his mother’s dedication to her children. As one of the eldest, he took on the responsibility of helping her with the family farm near Appin, Ontario – a farm where he would eventually breed horses.
“My late father was into harness racing and I used to follow him to the races,” Carr says. “I got a passion for it as well – and it blossomed from there.”
From his passion for horse breeding, training and racing came financial success. That success, together with good financial planning, led Carr to a point where he felt that it was time to start giving back.
A teacher by profession, Carr understands the power of health care research and made the decision to support translational (bench-to-bedside) research at LRCP. His latest contribution will help several initiatives, including the novel cancer imaging research of radiation oncologist David Palma, MD, PhD and imaging scientist Aaron Ward, PhD.
“I was particularly impressed with their work,” he says. “What they’re doing is going to have a big impact.”
“Donors like Joe Carr are key partners in enhancing and advancing health care in our city, our region, as well as provincially, nationally and globally,” says LHSF President John MacFarlane, as the research facility aims for to raise $200 million in its current fund raising campaign.
“Donations provide funds for the purchase of equipment and technologies that enable innovative patient care,” says LHSC President and CEO Murray Glendining. “Donations also support research and advanced education initiatives - ensuring we can continue to provide extraordinary patient care into the future.”
(with files from the LHSF)
Hi Joe, Just wanted to say
Hi Joe,
Just wanted to say that you are a great example of a class act representative of the people in harness racing and if there is such a thing as a humanitarian award in the harness racing industry, you would get my vote. What a great gesture of generosity for a most worthy cause. Thanks, Joe.
Paul
Simply put.....Just "
Simply put.....Just " Outstanding ".A real credit to those in the Harness racing industry and those that give back.
Joe was a class act when I
Joe was a class act when I knew him in the 70's, and obviously still is.Thank you, Joe. Ron Sigurdson
In reply to Joe was a class act when I by Sig
I'd like to thank all the the
I'd like to thank all the the people who responded to the article as well as those who thanked me in person ! I appreciated all the kind words and hand shakes. It made me feel like all is right in the world!
Way to Go Joe Carr.... You
Way to Go Joe Carr.... You always were a class act.... Thank you Terry Provost
Thank you Mr. Carr for your
Thank you Mr. Carr for your generosity in support of research and education initiatives at London Health Science Centre's London Regional Cancer Program. As a survivor of a rare type of cancer, I know how important research is in finding a cure. Many people will benefit from this wonderful gift.
Having just been diagnosed
Having just been diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia last September and now in a fight of my own against the dreaded disease, it is really something to know about people like Joe who are so supportive in the fight. I have known Joe and the Carr family all of my life being we were neighbors for many years. I went to school with his sisters Jane and Kathy and his brothers Michael and Jimmy with whom I share the same birth date. His mother Mildred and father Harold were second to none in kindness. It really is not surprising to see Joe sharing because the whole family was, well, the way neighbors always were 50 some odd years ago. It was a social community. Let me say now, Thank-you Joe on behalf of myself and others who will benefit from your Goodwill. STAY WELL Joe.
This is one of the most
This is one of the most heartwarming stories I have read in recent times . It is wonderful that Mr. Carr has turned his sad and heartbreaking experiences in life into a positive attitude . I have known of the Carr name in racing for my entire lifetime and recall the great mare his father once owned named Rosemary Brook . A few years ago I had the pleasure of authoring a "Rewind" story about her on this website. At that time I had the opportunity to correspond with Joe and later met him at the London 50th anniversary .As stated in today's post Joe may not be a household name but he is a part of a great piece of harness racing trivia .Back in 1972 when John Campbell won his first lifetime race at the Western Fair track , another young driver with the initials "JC" was also in that race . Thanks to you Joe for your tremendous generosity and for sharing the fruits of your labour to help others .