"Courage, it couldn't come at a worse time."
These Tragically Hip lyrics seem more sad than ever since the band revealed in May that frontman Gord Downie has terminal brain cancer.
But the Toronto hospital where Downie has been receiving treatment has somehow made us smile (and cry) with their rendition of "Courage (for Hugh MacLennan)."
Sunnybrook Hospital filmed a sweet video of their staff singing the Hip's classic song as a thank you to Downie, the band and all of those who have donated to a fund for brain cancer research that was set up in his name.
Dozens of staff were recruited for the performance, in which they stand around a big red "thank you" heart spray-painted in the grass.
But this isn't the only tribute the city has prepared for the iconic musician and his band.
Mayor John Tory declared Wednesday, Aug. 10 "Tragically Hip Day," according to the Toronto Star, ahead of the band's performances at the Air Canada Centre Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
"This band, The Hip, have touched so many people," Tory told The Star.
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which runs the Air Canada Centre, has set up a booth at the venue for fans to share their memories of the group via short videos on show days, according to the outlet.
Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip performs onstage during their 'Man Machine Poem Tour' at Rogers Arena on July 24 in Vancouver. (Photo: Andrew Chin/Getty Images)
A local pub is also raising money for the brain cancer fund with Courage for Gord events before each Toronto concert, and a portrait of Downie is up for auction at an east-end restaurant, the City Centre Mirror reports.
A portion of ticket sales from the band's tour will also go to the fund, and fans across the country are raising money, according to CBC News.
Sunnybrook head of neurology Dr. James Perry, who is also Downie's doctor, told the Mirror that the type of cancer he has, glioblastoma, is rare, so it's harder to advocate for more funding to find a cure.
"Hence the need for philanthropy and special events to bolster the funding that we do have," he said.
You can watch Sunnybrook's video tribute above.
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