The Montreal Impact and the HMR Foundation Are Teaming Up: $440,000 Raised for Research into Kidney Diseases

17 March 2015

Montreal, March 16, 2016 – On Saturday, March 12^th, the Montreal Impact and the Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont (HMR) Foundation teamed up during the team’s home opener for the 9^th edition of the Impact Néphro fundraising event. A collaboration that has a real impact: $440,000 were raised to support research efforts and treatment of kidney diseases at the Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont.

“We wish to thank the Montreal Impact and our loyal partners, as well as the 300 or so guests who attended the game, for making this event such a success. We have raised over $3M since the first edition of the Impact Néphro event. Together, we enable HMR Nephrology Department doctors and researchers to pursue their admirable work and ensure the well-being of hundreds of patients suffering from Kidney disease,” stated Lucie Drapeau, Executive Director, HMR Foundation.

Doctors Mobilized for the Cause

Doctors Vincent Pichette, Gabriel Chan, and Louis-Philippe Laurin, volunteer members of the Organizing Committee, have demonstrated the essential character of this fundraiser to support improved patient care. These Nephrology professionals who work at the HMR – a hospital that houses the largest single-site dialysis centre in Quebec – stand out from the rest for their extensive research activities to develop treatments for renal failure and related diseases, including diabetes and hypertension. They were also among the first to offer peritoneal dialysis and home hemodialysis.

“Support from the HMR Foundation has enabled us to launch research projects focusing on the prevention and treatment of kidney diseases, to acquire ultra-specialized equipment for renal replacement therapy in intensive care, to recruit young researchers, to award grants to master’s, doctoral and postgraduate students, and to maintain funding for fundamental research projects,” underlined Dr. Vincent Pichette, Nephrologist at the HMR Research Centre.

We already plan to come back next year. In the meantime, you can view some photos of the event and support Nephrology research efforts at www.fondationhmr.ca/en/. Your support has a real impact!

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About the HMR Foundation

A major partner of Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont since 1978, the HMR Foundation supports the hospital’s strategic development projects in order to better meet its patients’ needs. Motivated by a strong desire to make a difference, the Foundation supports projects that aim to constantly improve patient care, teaching, and research. The Foundation solicits the financial support of individuals, private foundations, partners, and businesses. Together, they recognize the excellence of the care provided to the patients at HMR, a remarkable hospital affiliated with Université de Montréal.

A few facts about the HMR’s nephrology department

During their lifetime, 1 in 15 Canadians risks being diagnosed with a kidney disease. The 14 nephrologists in HMR’s Nephrology department treat 450 patients, perform 60 kidney transplants per year, and follow 600 transplant patients. A centre of excellence at HMR, the Nephrology department is the main training site for future nephrologists and the only training centre in Québec for nurse practitioners specialized in nephrology.