Earlier this month Rush was announced as the 2017 recipient of the Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award. The band will be honored for their achievements and longstanding career in the music industry, social activism and support of humanitarian causes at the annual Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Awards Gala Dinner at the Sheraton Centre on Thursday, April 20th, 2017. Here's what the band had to say about the award:

"We are so incredibly honoured to receive the Allan Slaight Humanitarian Spirit Award. The depth of Allan and Gary Slaight's generosity, consideration and benevolence has no measure. We will strive to carry forward their spirit of charity and goodwill."
- RUSH

Recipients of the award are also given $40,000 to be donated to their charity of choice, and Rush has just announced that they'll be donating their prize to the Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research. From the Rush.com announcement:

"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. Many Canadian families have been affected either directly or indirectly by this terrible disease. 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." - RUSH

"We are thrilled to learn Rush has made such a donation," commented Dr. James Perry, head of neurology at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. "The Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research will help give us the tools we need to find ways to treat the untreatable. Right now we are investigating new drugs, surgical techniques and genetic therapies. We are using ultrasound to reach tumours that couldn't be reached before. The funds so generously donated by RUSH will support us as we continue our pioneering work, to the benefit of brain cancer patients not only across Canada but around the world."

To join Rush and make a personal donation to the Gord Downie Fund for Brain Cancer Research at Sunnybrook , go to www.sunnybrook.ca/gord ...