$ 1 475 184 raised during the 17th edition of the Montreal Passion Vin fundraising event
19 November 2018
Left to right : Jean-Philippe Wauthier, animator; Éric Bujold, president Private Banking 1859 – National Bank; Lucie Drapeau, executive director of the HMR Foundation; Catherine Dagenais, president and chief executive director of the Société des alcools du Québec; Jean-Philippe Beauvais, chair of the organizing committee and vice-president of operations Plaisirs Gastronomiques; Danielle McCann, Health minister; Johanne Claveau, chair of À Votre Santé! organizing committee, portfolio manager and vice-president of National Bank Financial – Wealth Management; Yvan Gendron, former CEO of CIUSSS de l’Est-de-l’Île-de-Montréal and Health deputy minister; Pierre Nelis, president of the HMR Foundation board members.
Montréal, November 13, 2018 – The 17th edition of the Montréal Passion Vin (montrealpassionvin.ca) fundraising event drew nearly 1000 wine lovers to the Port of Montreal’s Grand Quay, on November 9th and 10th. The benefit helped raise $1 475 184 for the Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont (HMR) Foundation, to support the cellular therapy revolution at the HMR.
Organized by a committee of business leaders chaired by Jean-Philippe Beauvais, Vice-President of Operations, Plaisirs Gastronomiques, Montréal Passion Vin is one of the largest fundraising events in Quebec. “The funds raised as part of this 17th edition will help us get one step closer, from the laboratory to the patient. The generosity and unerring loyalty of our guests, partners and donors will enable faster development of innovative cellular therapy treatments at the HMR,” said Lucie Drapeau, Executive Director, HMR Foundation. The Foundation wishes to express its deepest gratitude to presenting partner, the SAQ, as well as to major donor partner, National Bank, Private Banking 1859. Many thanks also to the Montreal Port Authority for their hospitality and invaluable collaboration.
Among the Most Prestigious Wine Industry Events
Over the course of two days, Montréal Passion Vin offers the most seasoned wine lovers an opportunity to taste exceptional vintages, in the company of the owners of some of the world’s most renowned châteaux, estates and vineyards. The wine tastings are highlighted by gastronomic meals, meticulously prepared by renowned chefs who create unforgettable food and wine pairings.
“Montréal Passion Vin is one of the most prestigious wine-tasting events in North America and the SAQ is very proud to present a gathering where lovers of great wine enjoy tastings that are as unique as they are memorable. It is a great honour to support the HMR Foundation by bringing together passionate wine lovers and philanthropists,” stated Catherine Dagenais, President and CEO of the Société des alcools du Québec.
For this 17th edition, the HMR Foundation had the pleasure of welcoming eight of the most passionate members of the winemaking world: Alice Tétienne from Krug, Dirk Niepoort from Niepoort (Vinhos) S.A., Roberto Voerzio of Roberto Voerzio Azienda Agricola, Philippe Guigal from Domaine E. Guigal, Aurélien Valance from Château Margaux, Pierre-Henry Gagey from Maison Louis Jadot, Stefano Ruini from Tenuta Luce and Frédéric Faye from Château de Figeac.
Our Cause: The Cellular Therapy Revolution at the HMR
HMR researchers are among the world’s leaders in cellular therapy. They develop and reproduce “living drugs” programmed to repair tissue, to eradicate malignant cancer cells or to cure the most serious diseases of our time. These “living drugs” are able to cure patients who do not respond to traditional treatments.
Since the 2012 opening of the Centre of Excellence for Cellular Therapy, cellular therapy research and clinical applications have flourished at the HMR. Right now, a lack of space and equipment adapted to this research prevents them from fully developing the capacity of this revolutionary type of medicine. The HMR Foundation wishes to raise $15 million to realize a major project: To add 32,000 sq. ft. of laboratory space earmarked for the development of clinical applications in cellular therapy, which undoubtedly represents one of the greatest medical breakthroughs of this century.
About the HMR Foundation
As a key partner for the past 40 years, the HMR Foundation has supported the Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont (HMR) in its strategic development orientations in order to respond more effectively to patient needs. Deeply committed to making a difference, the Foundation supports projects focusing on the ongoing improvement of patient care, the development of teaching and the expansion of research. The Foundation solicits the financial support of individual donors, private foundations, partners and corporations. Collectively, they recognize the excellence of care provided to patients at the HMR, an outstanding hospital centre affiliated with the Université de Montréal.
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Information:
Sylvie Rousseau – Department Manager, Communications, HMR Foundation
Tel. 514 252-3435 / Cellphone: 514 602-2735 / srousseau@fondationhmr.ca
