The Centre hospitalier de l'Université de
Montréal (CHUM) Foundation, the Société de Saint-Vincent de Paul de Montréal, St. Mary's
Hospital Foundation, and the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation
have been named the beneficiaries of a remarkable legacy gift from
Paul Durocher.
MONTREAL, June 17,
2024 /CNW/ - Representatives from four of
Quebec's most prominent
foundations were gathered in Montreal on June
17 to celebrate Mr. Durocher's unprecedented act of
generosity. His bequest will have a lasting impact on the future of
the communities they support. Mr. Durocher was an entrepreneur who
was deeply committed to various social causes and his posthumous
gift is one of the biggest ones ever made in Quebec, marking the history of philanthropy in
the province.
A discreet act of
kindness
Mr. Durocher worked in the hospitality industry and was always
involved in his community. He was also profoundly humble and shied
away from the spotlight, making his bequest a surprise for the
charities named as beneficiaries. This posthumous donation is a
sign of Mr. Durocher's true intentions and a reflection of his
altruistic nature. "He always knew that the impact of his actions
could only be measured by how they benefited charitable
organizations. For the Société de Saint-Vincent de Paul de Montréal, this
donation will greatly increase our ability to pursue and strengthen
our mission in these difficult times. With high inflation, we're
seeing more and more young people and workers coming to us for food
aid services. Thanks to Mr. Durocher, we'll be able to boost our
distribution capacities and meet the growing needs of our
community. It's a gesture that will have an immense positive effect
on us," said Pierre Pratte, Chair of
the Société de Saint-Vincent de
Paul de Montréal's Board of Directors.
Treating more people, saving more
lives
Health was a cause that was very close to Mr. Durocher's
heart. His exceptional bequest will not only fund the research and
innovations that will shape the medicine of tomorrow, it will also
be used to improve the day-to-day lives of countless people. "The
advances made possible by his generous contribution will provide
healthcare teams and researchers with an invaluable head start in
the fight against disease. Thousands of patients will benefit from
this," said Pascale Bouchard,
President and Chief Executive Officer at the CHUM Foundation.
Mr. Durocher received attentive care at St. Mary's Hospital over
the course of several years. The bequest he leaves will ensure
others will benefit from the same excellent services. "St. Mary's
is humbled to receive Mr. Durocher's transformational gift, which
is a moving gesture of faith in our Hospital's mission and in the
people who make up our outstanding community," said Cynda P. Heward, President and CEO of St. Mary's
Hospital Foundation. "As we celebrate our 100th anniversary this
year, I am certain that Mr. Durocher's contribution will have
nothing short of an extraordinary impact as we embark on the next
century of care at St. Mary's."
Leveraging the power of
philanthropy
Philanthropy, as envisioned by Mr. Durocher, is a way to explore
new avenues and his actions will no doubt inspire other donors.
With this bequest, he has cemented his legacy as a vector for
change and he will be remembered for his significant impact on our
collective future.
According to Alain Gignac,
President of the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation, Mr.
Durocher's contribution will motivate other Quebecers to embrace
philanthropy. "Mr. Durocher was very involved in the community. For
more than 20 years, he was part of a very active group of
philanthropists who support the MHI Foundation. Thanks in large
part to people like him, we are able to improve the quality of life
of patients with heart disease. His generosity, vision, and immense
heart will live on through the four foundations he's chosen to
support posthumously," he added.
About the CHUM
Foundation
At the CHUM Foundation, we rally a community of committed donors
around the CHUM, a leader in the healthcare system. With their
support, we provide a complementary source of funding that drives
innovation, accelerates technological development, and enables the
CHUM to excel in care, research, and teaching – so that no patient
is left behind.
About the Société de
Saint-Vincent de Paul de
Montréal
Since 1868, the Société de Saint-Vincent de Paul present in Montreal, Laval and the MRC of l'Assomption, has been
supporting individuals in difficult situations, regardless of their
culture, language, or religion. Founded on the civic action of our
volunteers and their desire to create connections, our
interventions are focused on listening, support, and accompanying
the most vulnerable. We promote dignity, autonomy, and community
integration of individuals through food assistance, school
perseverance programs, and social integration, as well as access to
basic material necessities. Learn more: ssvp-mtl.org
About St. Mary's Hospital
Foundation
Formed in 1973, St. Mary's Hospital Foundation is dedicated to
catalyzing the continued expansion of essential healthcare services
at St. Mary's Hospital Centre. Mobilizing our community to play a
pivotal philanthropic role in this mission, we facilitate resources
and partnerships that drive excellence in research, teaching, and
clinical care, while fostering a culture rooted in empathy and
inclusivity. As we enter our second century, we are determined to
honor and build on this legacy.
About the Montreal Heart Institute
Foundation
Founded in 1977, the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation raises
and administers funds to support the Institute's priority and
innovative projects and fight cardiovascular diseases, the world's
number one cause of mortality. Since its creation, the Foundation
has raised more than $380 million in
donations. Its donors helped make important discoveries and support
specialists, professionals, and researchers of the Institute to
provide care at the cutting edge of technology to tens of thousands
of patients in Quebec.
SOURCE Montreal Heart Institute Foundation