Montreal, June 1, 2017 — Close to 425 guests joined forces last night at the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec’s The Parquet to take part in the 4th edition of the Audacious fundraising event, benefiting the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of the Université de Montréal. Thanks to their generous contribution, as well as those of our sponsors and partners, 1 million dollars were raised to support research to fight cancer.
What’s more, in the course of the evening, an additional $300,000 donation from Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust was announced.
A frontrunner in basic and applied research, the IRIC sets itself apart by its threefold mission of acquiring new knowledge, of accelerating the discovery of new therapies and of training tomorrow’s scientists. Its mission is as bold as its vision, which positions the Institute as a fundamental player in life sciences.
A tribute to Robert Tessier
Under the co-honorary chairmanship of Mr. Michael Sabia, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, and Mr. Serge Godin, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board of CGI, the evening provided a unique opportunity to pay tribute to Mr. Robert Tessier, Chairman of the board of the IRIC, who has been involved with the Institute from its very beginnings.
The unwavering support of Mr. Tessier, Chair of the Board at the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, for the organization and its cause was recognized before a packed house which paid him a heartfelt tribute.
“Seeing hundreds of members of the business community get together for the fight against cancer and to honor Mr. Tessier was not only touching, but also provides tangible hope for the future of cancer research.”
Michael Sabia
President and Chief Executive Officer, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec
The event also highlighted the daily work of IRIC artisans, as they develop new treatments against cancer, a disease which has become an important social issue.
“The support of our unfaltering donors and the involvement of committed individuals such as Mr. Tessier are essential to the pursuit of IRIC’s threefold mission, source of its distinctive strength, and to its work to discover innovative therapies to conquer cancer.”
Michel Bouvier
Chief Executive Officer and Principal Investigator, IRIC
“It is a true privilege to support the IRIC’s research activities, given that the Institute plays a central role in the fight against cancer and has earned an international reputation. Its innovative research approach, driven by a 500-strong team of dedicated experts, has already resulted in discoveries that have a significant impact in the battle against cancer.”
Serge Godin
Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board, CGI
Our valued partners and sponsors
An event as important as Audacious and a fundraising campaign with such remarkable results would not be possible without the contribution of our numerous partners and sponsors.
Pioneers: CIBC, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Power Corporation of Canada
Innovators: Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., National Bank of Canada, Scotiabank, Business Development Bank of Canada – BDC, Bell Canada, Bombardier Inc., Cogeco Inc., Fasken Martineau DuMoulin, CGI Group Inc., Ivanhoé Cambridge Inc., Desjardins Group
Evening Partner (cocktail): Quebecor Media Inc.
Audacious’ organizing team would like to acknowledge their involvement as well as that of the members of the event’s Financing Committee and of our many volunteers.
From left to right:
Jacques Bernier, Managing Partner, Teralys Capital, Steven Klein, Vice President, Business Development, IRICoR and Michel Bouvier, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Investigator, IRIC – members of the Financing Committee; Dr. Guy Breton, Rector, Université de Montréal, Louise Roy, Chancellor, Université de Montréal, Robert Tessier, Chair of the Board at the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and Chairman of the board of the IRIC; Serge Godin, Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board of CGI and Michael Sabia, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec – Co-chairs of the 2017 edition; Réal Raymond, Corporate Director, Jean-Philippe Towner, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Pomerleau, Robert Lacroix, Professor and Rector Emeritus, Université de Montréal, Fellow CIRANO – members of the Financing Committee
Photo credit: Dominick Gravel
About the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC)
An ultra-modern research hub and training centre located in the heart of the Université de Montréal, the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) was created in 2003 to shed light on the mechanisms of cancer and discover new, more effective therapies to counter this disease. The IRIC operates according to a model that is unique in Canada. Its innovative approach to research has already led to discoveries that will, over the coming years, have a significant impact on the fight against cancer. For more information: www.iric.ca/en/
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Source: Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC)
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