Watch Sunnybrook Staff Sing a Moving Tribute to the Tragically Hip

If you weren’t in tears by either watching last night’s Tragically Hip concert in Toronto or because you couldn’t be there yourself, you may want to grab the tissue before you read any further.

In a beautiful tribute to the most inspiring and important Canadian band of all time, staff at Sunnybrook Hospital posted a video singing “Courage.”

The initiative was to thank frontman Gord Downie, the band, and those who have donated to the Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research.

Back in May, the country collectively mourned the news that Downie was battling an aggressive, incurable form of brain cancer.

Image: Canadian Press

Image: Canadian Press

Despite his illness, Downie and his bandmates are nearing the end of a 15-date Canadian tour in support of the band’s new album, Man Machine Poem – presumably the last tour we’ll see from the group.

The video shows hospital staff and people of all ages (including babies bouncing in the arms of dancing bodies) sing a few verses from the 1992 hit as they gathered around a red painted heart with the words “thank you” marked across it.

A portion of the proceeds from the tour will be donated to the Sunnybrook Foundation to support cancer research.

Yesterday, Major John Tory announced that August 10th would officially be “Tragically Hip Day” in Toronto. He unveiled a new tribute booth from Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) outside of gate 6 at the Air Canada Centre.

Members of The Tragically Hip (left to right) Gord Sinclair, Paul Langlois, Gord Downie, Johnny Fay and Rob Baker are shown in a recent handout photo. Langlois says he's honoured that his hometown of Kingston, Ont., has decided to dedicate a street to the veteran group. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Clemens Rikken

Members of The Tragically Hip (left to right) Gord Sinclair, Paul Langlois, Gord Downie, Johnny Fay and Rob Baker are shown in a recent handout photo. Langlois says he’s honoured that his hometown of Kingston, Ont., has decided to dedicate a street to the veteran group. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Clemens Rikken

Fans and (lucky) concergoers can use the booth to record 30-second video clips about their favourite memories of the beloved band.

The Hip has two more Toronto shows – one on Friday and one on Sunday – before heading to Hamilton, Ottawa, and their hometown of Kingston, where the final show will air live on CBC on August 20.

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