The Fondation du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) and the McGill University Health Centre Foundation (MUHC) officially announce a significant gift of 10 million dollars donated by Rio Tinto Alcan to their Joint Corporate Campaign. With such a magnanimous gift, the international mining group calls attention to the importance of investing in academic medicine in Montreal and of mobilizing the business community in connection with these two development projects. This large donation provides substantial support for the future CHUM and MUHC.
"If there is one area where companies can contribute significantly towards the improvement of the quality of life of its community, it is health," said Jacynthe Côté, Chief Executive, Rio Tinto Alcan. "We are deeply committed to the well-being of our people and I am very pleased to announce this $10 million donation to the Joint Corporate Campaign of the CHUM and MUHC. The construction of their new hospitals will ensure Montréal remains at forefront of academic medicine for the benefit of all Quebecers."
"Health is our most precious resource so when a golden opportunity to improve people's health and well-being comes along, you need to recognize its potential and give it every ounce of support," stated the Hon. Arthur T. Porter, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the McGill University Health Centre. "It is gifts such as this one from Rio Tinto Alcan that will equip our talented researchers and clinicians with the means to explore the causes of diseases and preventable injuries, provide the compassionate, acute and complex care that Quebecers need and have a lasting impact around the world. After all, health has no borders and we have a duty to use our gifts to improve the world."
In order to highlight Rio Tinto Alcan's outstanding generosity, the McGill University Health Centre will name the healing garden at its new Cancer Centre at the Glen in honour of the company. This is a natural choice given how relaxing green spaces, restorative surroundings and human warmth have become central to our health and happiness, much like aluminium has forged its way into our life in the form of children's bicycles and surgical instruments for example.
"With this gift, Rio Tinto Alcan is investing in the future of our health and that of our youngsters. Beginning in 2016, our new hospital will offer patients a place of quality care on a human scale where expertise and innovation will play a role in the excellence of care giving and at the same time in the development of personalized medicine. Health promotion will be one of the mainstays of social awareness in the new hospital, an undertaking for sustainable development as well as the implementation of an artistic and cultural policy for the benefit of clients, their families and friends. With its research centre, the CHUM will, thanks once again to this gift from Rio Tinto Alcan, strengthen the recognition it enjoys internationally and its contribution to Quebec's economic development in the biosciences sector," pointed out Christian Paire, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the CHUM.
Quebec visionaries for the renewal of the Quebec health system
This generous donation offered by Rio Tinto Alcan to the CHUM and the MUHC represents an important step on the way to reaching each foundation's respective 300-million-dollar objective. Such a gift from this mining giant, added to others from major corporate donors over the course of recent months, is yet another testament to the essential role of the business community in building these new hospitals.
"We tip our hats to the warm-hearted generosity of Rio Tinto Alcan. By this act, it is showing a desire to support the high quality of health care provided for patients and enable greater progress in both teaching and research," said Ékram Antoine Rabbat, President and CEO of the Fondation du CHUM, adding: "The gift is exemplary for it helps underwrite the construction project for the new CHUM and signals both social concern and team effort. Moreover, the first beneficiaries will be the patients. We are deeply grateful for the commitment made today toward the health of Quebecers."
"We are thrilled that the business community continues to hear our call for support," remarked John A. Rae, Chairman of The Best Care for Life Campaign of the McGill University Health Centre. "This gift is a fine example of community leadership. It will be our privilege to honour Rio Tinto Alcan's trust and generosity at the Glen."
The $5 million donation to the McGill University Health Centre includes $2.5 million for The Best Care for Children Campaign, much to the delight of its Chairman, Marc Courtois, who stated: "In the name of the young patients of The Montreal Children's Hospital, I extend my thanks to Rio Tinto Alcan for this precious gift."
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