For 50 years now the Gairdner Foundation, named after Canadian philanthropist James Arthur Gairdner, has recognized excellence and achievements in health sciences. On an annual basis, the foundation has presented the Canada Gairdner awards to health researchers using a rigorous and highly respected selection process. Many awardees have gone on to win the Nobel Prize for discoveries - including the structure of DNA! The foundation has also created the Gairdner National Program as a way to have current and previous awardees introduce their work to biomedical researchers, faculty, postgraduate and graduate students, medical students, senior high school/CEGEP students and the public at various locations across Canada. CIHR supports the foundation's endeavours - and congratulates them on their hallmark year! For further information about the Gairdner Foundation and its 50th Anniversary Toronto Symposium (which runs from October 28-30, 2009), please visit the Gairdner Foundation website.