We are deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Mark Chignell, a cherished partner of Circle of Care and a visionary in the field of aging and technology. Mark passed away on November 20, 2025, after a courageous battle with leukemia.
Our collaboration with Mark began when Circle of Care received support from the Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation (CABHI). With this funding, our Adult Day Program and assisted living facilities—both of which support many people living with frailty and dementia—became active research environments. Mark saw the value of working directly with clients to understand how technology might support their physical and cognitive well-being in meaningful, practical ways.
With his guidance, several 2RaceWithMe equipment sets were set up at Circle of Care Adult Day Program and assisted living buildings. This equipment, which pairs a cycling-based activity and gentle physical exercise with immersive travel videos, helps explore whether this type of engagement could make a measurable difference for clients living with mobility challenges, cognitive changes, or the effects of aging.
The results were deeply encouraging. Clients described feeling more alert, more motivated, and more connected after participating. Some noticed improvements in sleep, mood, or movement, while others simply enjoyed the sense of purpose and exploration the activity created. Mark took these observations seriously, using them to refine the system and consider new ways technology could support both physical activity and cognitive stimulation.
Mark was collaborative, thoughtful, and endlessly inquisitive. He valued what he learned from our team and our clients just as much as any data point. His presence always felt like a partnership—never a project conducted from a distance.
Beyond his collaboration with Circle of Care, Mark contributed significantly to aging research and innovation across Canada through his work at the University of Toronto, his involvement with networks such as AGE-WELL, and his leadership in technology development.
We will remember Mark as a brilliant researcher, a trusted partner, and a truly kind human being. His legacy lives on in the ideas he sparked, the tools he developed, and the meaningful moments of connection he helped create in our programs.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Mark’s family, friends, colleagues, and all who were touched by his remarkable life.
