Inauguration of the new Jacqueline Desmarais Pavilion

THE CHU SAINTE-JUSTINE AND ITS FOUNDATION RECOGNIZE AN EXCEPTIONAL $12M GIFT FROM THE DESMARAIS FAMILY AND POWER CORPORATION OF CANADA

MONTRÉAL, Oct. 18, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - An exceptional gift from the late Honourable Paul G. Desmarais and Power Corporation of Canada, along with other members of the Desmarais family, was celebrated today at the official inauguration of the Jacqueline Desmarais Pavilion at the CHU Sainte-Justine's new Specialized Care Building. The event, which unfolded in the presence of Mrs. Jacqueline Desmarais, Mr. Paul Desmarais, Jr., Co-Chair of the Healing More Better campaign, several members of the Desmarais family and representatives from Power Corporation of Canada, served to highlight the exemplary pledge of $12 million by the Desmarais family and Power Corporation of Canada to the CHU Sainte-Justine.

INSPIRATIONAL AND VISIONARY PHILANTHROPISTS
"We are incredibly honoured that this new pavilion bears the name of Jacqueline Desmarais," stated Ms Maud Cohen, President and Chief Executive Officer of the CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation, in her opening remarks. "The Desmarais family and Power Corporation of Canada, led by Mrs. Desmarais and her late husband Paul G. Desmarais, are visionary, loyal and committed philanthropists, who have always believed in the mission of the CHU Sainte-Justine," she continued. "Over the past 30 years, they have contributed to many of the innovative projects we have undertaken, and their support has made possible countless new scientific, therapeutic and technological advances."

THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS THE FUTURE OF MOTHER-CHILD CARE
The inauguration of the new pavilion marks the first major milestone in the delivery of the Growing Up Healthy modernization project, which will open officially this winter. For Mr. Fabrice Brunet, Chief Executive Officer of the CHU Sainte-Justine, this is a decisive step that will ensure the institution remains at the forefront of mother-child care in the 21st century. "Thanks to these new, ultramodern spaces, like the Jacqueline Desmarais Pavilion, our teams will have the means to develop both science and know-how, and we can already promise mothers and children in Quebec that we will deliver ever more innovative, personalized and integrated care. The support of donors like the Desmarais family and Power Corporation of Canada is incredibly important, and without their encouragement we would not be where we are today," he remarked.

A SYMBOLIC DESIGNATION
Paul Desmarais, Jr. emphasized that his family has always felt it important to contribute to the future of healthcare, particularly at the CHU Sainte-Justine. "The CHU Sainte-Justine is a historical institution that has a tradition of upholding strong family values with which we identify very deeply. We are immensely proud to see the work that has been accomplished by its teams of professionals and researchers over the past 30 years, and to have contributed to the achievement of each of its major milestones. To be able to see our mother's name now associated with such excellence has very special meaning for us. We hope that all members of Quebec society—mothers, children and families—can continue to benefit from the extraordinary expertise of this institution for many years to come."

Through their long-standing commitment to the CHU Sainte-Justine, the Desmarais family and Power Corporation of Canada have made an extraordinary contribution to the Growing Up Healthy modernization and expansion project. More recently, through the CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation's Healing More Better campaign, they also contributed to the launch of the Pediatric Translational Genomics Research Institute at the CHU Sainte-Justine, which permits researchers to better understand the causes of genetic diseases and to transform their research findings into timely patient treatment.

About the CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation
Through community support, the CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation strives to provide the CHU Sainte-Justine with the means to heal more children in Quebec, and do it better. The Foundation is committed to building a healthier tomorrow by delivering a standard of care that is among the best in the world.
www.fondationsaintejustine.org/en

About CHU Sainte-Justine
The Sainte-Justine university hospital centre (CHU Sainte-Justine) is the largest mother-child centre in Canada and the second largest pediatric hospital in North America. A member of the Université de Montréal extended network of excellence in health (RUIS), Sainte-Justine has 5,560 employees, including 1,500 nurses and nursing assistants; 1,000 other healthcare professionals; 502 physicians, dentists and pharmacists; 822 residents; and more than 185 researchers, 450 volunteers and 3,500 interns and students in a wide range of disciplines. Sainte-Justine has 484 beds, including 35 at the Centre de réadaptation Marie Enfant, the only exclusively pediatric rehabilitation centre in Quebec. The World Health Organization has recognized CHU Sainte-Justine as a "health promoting hospital." chusj.org

SOURCE CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation

Image with caption: "Mrs. Jacqueline Desmarais surrounded by her family members, Dr. Fabrice Brunet, President and CEO of the CHU Sainte-Justine, Ms Maud Cohen, Joseph Rouleau, the Honourable Michael M Fortier, Mr. Jacques Ménard, Mr. Pierre Boivin and a dozen children from Sainte-Justine. (CNW Group/CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161018_C1395_PHOTO_EN_797795.jpg

For further information: Delphine Brodeur, Director, Communication, Public Relations and Donor Relations, CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation, 514-345-4931 #4356, [e-mail]