The Fondation du CHUM announces one of the largest gifts in its history

The Fondation du CHUM receives a $5 million gift from the Molson Foundation

MONTREAL, May 9, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The Fondation du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) is delighted to announce one of the greatest gifts in its entire history. This outstanding show of support in the capital fundraising campaign Giving Ourselves the Best in Health Care comes from generosity on the part of the Molson Foundation which makes public today a contribution of 5 million dollars.

The Molson family once again shows, by this gesture, its commitment to the cause of Quebec's hospitals. "For a long time, the Molson Foundation has played a role in backing Montreal institutions. Today, by means of this gift to the Fondation du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, we are pleased to contribute to the future CHUM, a project that spells partnership in a social undertaking and to therefore grant Montreal with a major health establishment of international calibre for all Quebeckers. And we encourage families and foundations throughout Quebec to add their voices to this campaign," declared Andrew Molson, president of the Molson Foundation. Mr. Molson is also chairman of the board for the Molson Coors Brewing Company and for RES PUBLICA Consulting Group, the parent company of NATIONAL Public Relations.

Luc Beauregard, a member of the Cabinet for the capital fundraising campaign of the Fondation du CHUM and an associate of Andrew Molson remarked: "For over two centuries, the Molson family has always been solidly entrenched in the entire Montreal community and in all its facets: the arts, sports, education, health. Today, they again make us aware of their great generosity towards hospitals to which, as always, they have a firm commitment. When the family was approached by the Fondation, the decision had already been made to support the CHUM and they responded immediately with a resounding 'yes'. To date many donors have come forward to give, among them this fine example for all Quebec residents."

Yvon Deschamps, volunteer spokesperson of the Fondation du CHUM, expressed deep gratitude to the Molson family for this significant contribution. "The Fondation du CHUM celebrated its fifteenth anniversary a few days ago and this is the most beautiful gift we could have wished for! Our thanks to the Molson Foundation for its commitment to CHUM patients. At the same time, I want to emphasize that every donation, big or small, makes a real difference in patients' lives."

This gift will enable the new CHUM to acquire cutting edge equipment, to expand its initiatives for the promotion of health and for patient experience so as to provide constantly improving care. With the coming opening of the first phase of the new CHUM, including the Centre de recherche du CHUM (CRCHUM) and the Centre intégré d'enseignement et de formation (CIEF), the hospital is positioning itself in the forefront of research and educational activities.

The campaign Giving Ourselves the Best in Health Care is one of the largest of its kind in health care across Canada. Almost $185,600,000 of the final 300 million dollar goal have been raised to date. 100% of the gifts received is turned over to the hospital for the well-being of patients who are the focal point of the Fondation du CHUM commitment. No donations will be used in the building of the new CHUM.

About the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) and its Foundation

The Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) is one of the largest teaching hospitals in North America. Known for excellent care and the expertise of its specialists, it welcomes more than half a million patients every year, not only from the Greater Montreal region but also the entire province of Quebec. The essence of its mission is the application of innovative approaches to healthcare, the search for new knowledge, the promotion of health and the patient experience, as well as the transfer of knowledge. Boasting a rich history, the CHUM is looking to the future with the ongoing construction of new facilities and its research centre in downtown Montreal, a comprehensive project on a single site valued at nearly $2.5 billion. The CHUM Research Centre will open its doors in 2013. It will be followed in 2016 by the unveiling of the new CHUM, a world-class teaching hospital in tune with its community where it plays a major role, in a socially aware perspective of sustainable development and concerted urban approach. It is also an active member of the Réseau universitaire intégré de santé (RUIS) de l'Université de Montréal. chumontreal.qc.ca

The Fondation du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) serves as a catalyst and a driving force in carrying out the CHUM's mission, with its numerous initiatives, fundraising activities (direct mailings, canvassing of individual donors, private foundations and corporations) and its capital fundraising campaign. Thanks to the generosity of its donors, it has given nearly $102 million to the CHUM since 1998, including more than $12 million in 2011-2012. Whether it is used to the latest equipment, support research projects that lead to promising treatments, help train a new generation of medical professionals or support the promotion of health, the money raised contributes directly to the continued improvement of patient care. fondationduchum.com

Image with caption: "A great Quebec family donates $5 million to the capital fundraising campaign Giving Ourselves the Best in Health Care of the Fondation du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) : the Molson family. Pictured: Justin, Andrew, Eric and Geoffrey Molson along with Yvon Deschamps, volunteer spokesperson of the Fondation du CHUM, and Ékram Antoine Rabbat, president and CEO of the Fondation du CHUM (CNW Group/Fondation du CHUM)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130509_C5096_PHOTO_EN_26558.jpg

SOURCE: Fondation du CHUM

Renseignements:

Fondation du CHUM
Elodie Grange
Director, Communication and Marketing
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