Today at the CHU Sainte-Justine, BMO Bank of Montreal announced an extraordinary $2 million donation that will support the research of Dr. Élie Haddad into immune disorders as well as Dr. Patricia Garel’sEspace Transition project, two innovative research and care initiatives for our children.

“We are thrilled to receive this gift from BMO Bank of Montreal, which will make an enormous difference for research and the care provided directly to children. Immunology research affects a significant number of diseases and patients; there are more than 350 different immune deficits. Pediatric immune disorders are often very serious, and pose both biological and clinical challenges in terms of prognosis and survival. Research is critical, because current treatment options all too frequently have very significant after-effects and must be replaced by more effective, less invasive therapies,” said Dr. Haddad, head of the Cancers and Immune Disorders Area of Excellence at the CHU Sainte-Justine’s Research Centre.

Created in 2009 and unique in Canada, Espace Transition is an innovative arts-focused mental health rehabilitation initiative. For Dr. Garel, pediatric psychiatrist and researcher at the CHU Sainte-Justine, the major contribution announced today will allow her team to further strengthen the program. “This gift from BMO Bank of Montreal will enable us to provide a permanent space that is safe and adapted for the young patients in our care. It will become an essential gathering place for our adolescents so that they can regain a sense of self-assurance and confidence to continue on their path to recovery.”

For BMO Bank of Montreal, this gift aligns perfectly with the organization’s values. “We are very proud to support immunology research at the CHU Sainte-Justine as well as the Espace Transition program. These ambitious and visionary projects will offer new solutions to improve children’s quality of life, now and in the future,” said Mr. Darryl White, CEO of BMO Financial Group.

Dr. Fabrice Brunet, CEO of the CHU Sainte-Justine, reiterated the extent to which the university hospital centre embraces its core mission of research and innovation to improve children’s health. “Dr. Haddad’s immunology research and Dr. Garel’sEspace Transition program have a common theme: innovation with a capital “I”. It’s the key to developing new therapies and it is the reason that we are able to envision improvements to the care offered to our young patients. The CHU Sainte-Justine is honoured by BMO Bank of Montreal’s confidence in our teams.”

“Together, we share a common vision: building a better future and continually pushing the boundaries of research for the well-being of our children. The CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation is grateful to BMO Bank of Montreal for its exceptional and visionary contribution,” concluded Ms. Maud Cohen, President and CEO of the CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation.

The event was also an opportunity to pay tribute to Mr. L. Jacques Ménard, President Emeritus of BMO Financial Group, who has been a passionate supporter of the CHU Sainte-Justine for three decades.