The Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM) / Montreal Clinical Research Institute Foundation donated $410,000 to IRCM at its Annual Dinner, which was co-chaired by Chirfi Guindo, President and Managing Director of Merck Canada Inc., and Martin Thibodeau, President, Quebec Headquarters, of RBC Royal Bank. The proceeds will be used by the IRCM's new Research Centre for Rare and Genetic Diseases in Adults. Held on November 16 at the Hyatt Regency in Montreal, with over 375 people in attendance, this year's fundraising event also kicked off the IRCM's 50th anniversary celebrations, unveiling its new visual identity.
“We are very proud to be one of the Institute's partners. I personally have a lot of admiration for the work you do. Whenever I have the opportunity, I like to remind my partners that the IRCM is one of the most important research centres in the world. In addition, the establishment of the Research Centre for Rare and Genetic Diseases in Adults is further evidence of its leadership in custom research. Merck Canada inc. will continue to support the IRCM, and I encourage the business community to do the same,” said Chirfi Guindo, President and Managing Director of Merck Canada Inc.
“This is the third year in a row I've participated in the IRCM's Annual Dinner as Honorary President, which shows just how much the Institute matters to me,' said Martin Thibodeau. At this fundraising event, I've had the opportunity to meet eager and committed researchers and physicians who make a huge difference in the lives of thousands of patients through their discoveries. I should also mention that, at the dawn of its 50th anniversary, the IRCM continues to be as innovative and visionary as ever, with the creation of the new Research Centre for Rare and Genetic Diseases in Adults, a project that will provide a faster response to the needs of these patients.”
The opening of the Research Centre for Rare and Genetic Diseases in Adults
To mark the opening of the Institute's Research Centre for Rare and Genetic Diseases in Adults, guests were treated to the passionate plea of Pierre Lavoie, the guest of honour at the event and co-founder of the Grand défi Pierre Lavoie. He movingly pointed out the key role of rare and genetic disease research in providing better living conditions for patients and their families.
IRCM President and Scientific Director Tarik Möröy repeated the special nature and scope of this research centre: “As we begin to celebrate the Institute's 50th anniversary, we are very proud of our ongoing, innovative efforts in opening the IRCM's Research Centre on Rare and Genetic Diseases in Adults,” he explained. “We will conduct basic and clinical research in this area and develop a transition model for patients leaving the pediatric setting and entering the adult health system, a unique model in Canada,” he added. “These achievements will be made possible due to the IRCM's large number of researchers and clinicians, plus their teams involved in rare disease research.”
“Every cause is important, but the IRCM's mission is invaluable,” added André J. P. Couillard, President of the IRCM Foundation. “For 50 years, the Institute has helped accelerate the discovery of treatments and medication. With the creation of the Research Centre for Rare and Genetic Diseases in Adults, it plans to carry on these efforts and is even hoping to surpass itself.” Mr. Couillard also stressed “the work of the IRCM Foundation's Committee of Ambassadors, chaired by Marie-Hélène Nolet, Vice-President, High-impact Firms Implementation at Business Development Bank of Canada. Their commitment and involvement in this event's success is remarkable.”
Celebrating 50 years of discovery
The IRCM Foundation's Annual Dinner marked the launch of IRCM's 50th anniversary celebrations. With “Celebrating 50 years of discovery” as its theme, this event was an opportunity to present the IRCM's new visual identity and its programs for the coming year under the chairpersonship of Marinella Ermacora, President of the Createch Group and a member of the IRCM Foundation, at the helm.
The next Annual Dinner of the Foundation will be held on November 16, 2017 to conclude the celebrations for the Institute's 50th anniversary.
About the IRCM Foundation
The Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM) / Montreal Clinical Research Institute Foundation is one of the Institute's key partners. Through the tremendous efforts of people committed to IRCM's present and future, the Foundation can fulfill its mission of supporting IRCM's research, technological development and training activities, promoting its growth.
About the IRCM
Founded in 1967, the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM) / Montreal Clinical Research Institute is a non-profit organization that conducts fundamental and clinical biomedical research in addition to training high-level young scientists. With its cutting-edge technology facilities, the institute brings together 33 research teams, which work in cancer, immunology, neuroscience, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, systems biology and medicinal chemistry. The IRCM also operates a research clinic specialized in hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes and cystic fibrosis, as well as a research centre on rare and genetic diseases in adults. The IRCM is affiliated with the Université de Montréal and associated with McGill University. Its clinic is affiliated with the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM). The IRCM is supported by the Ministère de l’Économie, de la Science et de l’Innovation (Quebec ministry of Economy, Science and Innovation).
Source:
Anne-Marie Beauregard, Communications Officer
Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM) / Montreal Clinical Research Institute
514 987-5555 | anne-marie.beauregard@ircm.qc.ca
