Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont Foundation: 10 things to know
30 March 2021
Since 2019, it is the famous host and comedian, Patrice L’Écuyer, who is the Foundation’s spokesperson
How well do you know the Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont Foundation? Test your knowledge.
1. When was the Foundation created?
The Foundation was created in 1978. It was then called the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Foundation and its first Board of Directors was chaired by John H. Sullivan.
In 2018, the Foundation celebrated its 40th anniversary, with CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal marking the occasion.
Since 2017, its chairman of the board of directors has been Pierre Nelis, chief operating officer and vice-chairman of Inno-Centre, Canada’s largest gas pedal of innovative companies. Mr. Nelis is the 6th Chairman of the Foundation’s Board and has the support of 20 members who serve with him.
2. What is its mission and what projects does it fund?
As a privileged partner of the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, the HMR Foundation supports its strategic development orientations in order to better meet the needs of patients.
The Foundation supports projects aimed at constantly improving care, purchasing equipment, and developing teaching and research.
See the How your donations help section to learn more about the projects supported.
3. Who are the Foundation’s donors?
The Foundation solicits financial support from individuals, private foundations, partners and corporations. In 2019, it had nearly 15,000 donors and contributed just over $12 million to 59 projects:
- $3.8M for improving care
- $7.9M for research
- $0.4M for education.
4. What is the amount of the largest donation in the Foundation’s history?
It was a $5 million gift from the Caroline Durand Foundation in 2014 to support the creation of the Chair in Cellular Therapy of Eye Disease.
In 2011, Herbert Black made a $2.5 million gift to fund the creation of the Center of Excellence for Cellular Therapy.
5. What have been the Foundation’s most significant campaigns?
There are several, but of particular note is the “J’appuie Dodo” campaign, launched in 2011 and carried out by Dominique Michel, then the Foundation’s spokesperson. It reached and even exceeded its goal of $12 million. Her goal was to finance the future integrated cancer center, the only integrated center in Quebec offering cutting-edge cell therapy treatments.
The first major campaign took place from 1982 to 1985. It was chaired by Ronald Corey, then president of the Club de field hockey Canadien. From 2001 to 2006, there was also the “Let’s Grow with All Our Strengths” campaign chaired by François Duffar, president of Cossette Communication Group.
The current campaign, “Reprogram History“, chaired by Sandra Chartrand, President of the Fondation Sandra Chartrand and Alain Bouchard, and Laurent Ferreira, Chief Operating Officer of the National Bank, hopes to raise $15 million to fund stem cell research.
6. What have been the Foundation’s most significant achievements?
There are obviously many. In addition to the campaigns mentioned above, in 2013, thanks to a $9 million donation from the Foundation, the Centre of Excellence for Cellular Therapy was created, the first of its kind in Canada. Of this amount, 40% came from the Montréal Passion Vin event, the Foundation’s flagship fundraising event.
More recently, the acquisition of equipment for the HMR Institute of Hematology-Oncology and Cellular Therapy was financed thanks to an additional contribution from the Sandra and Alain Bouchard Foundation and the HMR Foundation. They will be located at the Centre of Excellence for Cellular Therapy and will lead to the creation of the first gene therapy production unit in Canada.
7. Who is the Foundation’s spokesperson?
Since 2019, it is the famous host and comedian, Patrice L’Écuyer, who is the Foundation’s spokesperson. He succeeded his friend Dominique Michel, who remains the Foundation’s ambassador of heart. She is the one who created the À Votre Santé!
8. Does the Foundation have volunteers and if so, how many?
For the organization of its events, appeals to donors, and multiple administrative tasks, the Foundation is fortunate to be able to count on nearly 200 volunteers whom it regularly highlights on its social media through a section entitled: Our volunteers are great!
˃ You too, become a volunteer.
9. How many employees does the Foundation have?
As of January 1, 2021, the Foundation had 12 employees. As of November 2020, its executive director is Julie Desharnais.
10. Where are its offices located?
The Foundation’s offices are located on the second floor of the Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont Polyclinic on Assomption Boulevard, near the L’Assomption metro station.
As soon as the situation allows, please come and say hello. We are always happy to meet friends of the Foundation. See you soon!
