RI-MUHC ANNUAL REPORT 2022
YOUR SUPPORT
Together, we have the means to leverage discoveries that improve the health of patients across their lifespan.
MCGILL UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTRE (MUHC) FOUNDATION
The MUHC Foundation provided $12 million to the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) in 2021-2022 to support new, innovative research.
Millions of dollars in donations to the MUHC Foundation are helping the Cancer Research Program at the RI-MUHC develop new ways to diagnose and treat cancer. A gift of $2 million from BMO is helping develop precision oncology techniques—personalized treatments tailored to each patient. Non-invasive liquid biopsy allows oncologists to monitor the progression of cancer frequently and in real time. Organoids—tiny models of patients’ tumours grown in petri dishes—provide an opportunity to test cancer treatments before using them on a patient.
The MUHC Foundation’s SDR Project has raised over $900,000 to support infectious and immune disease expert Dr. Donald Vinh in finding diagnoses for genetic diseases. Inspired by the life-long illness of Shawnea Roberts, this campaign will help people living with undiagnosed genetic diseases receive answers and live happier, healthier lives.
THE MONTREAL GENERAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION (MGHF)
Over the past year, the MGHF and its donors have supported research to the tune of $6.3 million. Our support focusses on five areas of expertise: trauma, personalized cancer care, innovation and research, brain and mental health, and healthy aging.
As always, we have supported young, emerging researchers, encouraging their scientific creativity and enabling them to access other substantial funding sources.
We have also supported the acquisition of highly sophisticated equipment and technology and encouraged the development of new databases for geriatric and psychiatric information. All of these initiatives aim to help researchers track the evolution of diseases and better predict certain diagnoses and prognoses.
Additionally, the Clinical Innovation Platform (CLIP), powered by National Bank, was launched at the Montreal General Hospital. The CLIP encourages clinical innovation through collaborations among physicians, engineers and entrepreneurs. Dr. Gerald Fried’s commentary in the central feature of this report reveals many notable advances made in this first year at the CLIP.
THE AUXILIARY OF THE MONTREAL GENERAL HOSPITAL
Working closely with the MGH Foundation, the MGH Auxiliary volunteers raise funds for the care and comfort of patients and for medical research and medical equipment at the MGH site of the MUHC.
THE MONTREAL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
Support for the RI-MUHC in 2021-2022: Over $5.5 million
Despite the pandemic, loyal donors to the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation have generously supported innovative research that aims to transform pediatric and mother-child healthcare. We sincerely thank them, as we thank the foundations and businesses who have partnered with us to make such advances possible: the Charles-Bruneau Foundation, Opération Enfant Soleil, National Bank, Power Corporation of Canada and CIBC Bank. Through the Unexpected Ways to Heal campaign, the Children’s Foundation has already secured over $18 M in pledges for major research projects.
The Smart Hospital project launched in 2021 with the aim of replacing fixed-line with wireless technology. Electronic sensors, like FitbitMD, will soon measure vital signs and ensure continuous cardiac monitoring for young patients. This multidisciplinary project is directed by Drs. Guilherme M. Sant’Anna and Wissam Shalish, and by Prof. Robert Kearney of the Biomedical Engineering Department at McGill University.
Two other very promising projects focus on biomarker technology. Dr. Janusz Rak, senior scientist in the Child Health and Human Development (CHHD) Program at the RI-MUHC, and his team are using liquid biopsy to devise noninvasive tests to detect pediatric cancer rapidly and precisely. And in the interest of preventing pregnancy-related complications, Dr. Daniel Dufort, project lead and leader of the CHHD Program, and his team are working on new treatments and noninvasive practices in maternal and fetal health.
CEDARS CANCER FOUNDATION
The Cedars Cancer Foundation helps fight cancer from every angle, for every cancer type and every need, regardless of the patient's age, throughout and beyond treatment.
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