Audacious 2018: A record amount of $1,335,000 raised to support research to vanquish cancer

MONTREAL, May 30, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Close to 400 guests were on hand at the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec for the 5th edition of the Audacious fundraising event, organized by the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of the Université de Montréal, and hosted by Stéphan Bureau. As a result of their precious contribution, as well as the contribution of partners and sponsors, a record amount of $1,335,000 was raised to support research to vanquish cancer.

A leader in basic and applied research, the IRIC is celebrating 15 years of scientific advances. The Institute sets itself apart through its threefold mission of acquiring new knowledge, training the next generation of scientists and accelerating the transformation of discoveries into therapeutic innovations.

A tribute to two great builders

The 2018 edition's Honorary Co-chairs, present at the event, Nathalie Palladitcheff, President of Ivanhoé Cambridge, and Jean La Couture, President and Founder of Huis Clos ltée and Chairman of the Board of Pomerleau, paid tribute to two great committed builders: Mr. Pierre Pomerleau and Dr. Claude Perreault.

Pierre Pomerleau, philanthropic builder
Along with leading a large construction company, Pierre Pomerleau is a great philanthropist and has been a partner of the IRIC ever since ground was broken for the Marcelle-Coutu Pavilion. What began as a business relationship evolved, over time, into a true commitment to the Institute. Mr. Pomerleau is proud to invest in research and innovation and give back to Quebec society.

Dr. Claude Perreault, scientific builder
Dr. Claude Perreault is an investigator at the IRIC, a professor at the Université de Montréal, as well as a hematologist and clinician at the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital. He is responsible for discoveries that have had a major impact on understanding the mechanisms of cancer. His team is currently working on developing a vaccine to short-circuit some of the "deadliest" cancers. Deeply attached to his team, his threefold mandate as a professor, an investigator and a hematologist enables him to apply his passion for teaching, while at the same time transposing discoveries from his laboratory to the clinic.  

"I was very honoured to co-chair the 5^th edition of Audacious and to put my network to good use by highlighting the IRIC's activities in the fight against cancer."
Nathalie Palladitcheff, President, Ivanhoé Cambridge

"The business community has done a good job of responding to an extraordinary cause associated with the recognition of a remarkable company leader like Pierre Pomerleau."
Jean La Couture, President and Founder, Huis Clos ltée and Chairman of the Board of Pomerleau

"The loyalty of donors in the class of Pierre Pomerleau is a promise of hope for the future of research. Their unwavering support is vital to the pursuit of the IRIC's threefold mission, making it a key player in the fight against this disease."
Michel Bouvier, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Investigator, IRIC
Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal

Co-chairs of the 2018 edition

• Nathalie Palladitcheff, President, Ivanhoé Cambridge
• Jean La Couture, President and Founder, Huis Clos ltée and Chairman of the Board, Pomerleau
• Stéphane Achard, Executive Vice-President, Commercial Banking and Insurance, National Bank of Canada

Members of the Financing Committee of the 2018 edition

• Robert Tessier, Chairman of the Board, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and Chairman of the Board, IRIC
• Michel Bouvier, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Investigator, IRIC and Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal
• Robert Lacroix, Professor and Rector Emiritus, Université de Montréal and Fellow, CIRANO
• Jacques Bernier, Managing Partner, Teralys Capital and Board member, IRIC
• Lucie Rémillard, CEO, LR STRATÉGIE INC. and Board member, IRIC
• Steven Klein, Vice-President, Business Development, IRICoR

Our valued partners and sponsors

An event as important as Audacious and a fundraising campaign that produced such remarkable results would not be possible without the contribution of our many partners and sponsors.

The Audacious organizing team would like to thank them for their support, as well as the support of the event's Co-chairs, the members of the Financing Committee and all of our many volunteers.

About the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) of the Université de Montréal

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 of the Université de Montréal 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: iric.ca 

Consult our virtual press kit: https://www.iric.ca/overview/#MN-00

From left to right:
Pierre Pomerleau: President and CEO, Pomerleau
Louise Roy, Chancellor, Université de Montréal
Jean La Couture, President and Founder, Huis Clos ltée and Chairman of the Board, Pomerleau (Co-chair of the 2018 edition)
Robert Lacroix, Professor and Rector Emiritus, Université de Montréal and Fellow, CIRANO (member of the 2018 Financing Committee)
Nathalie Palladitcheff, President, Ivanhoé Cambridge (Co-chair of the 2018 edition)
Robert Tessier, Chairman of the Board, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and Chairman of the Board, IRIC (member of the Financing Committee)
Dr. Guy Breton, Rector, Université de Montréal
Michel Bouvier, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Investigator, IRIC and Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal (member of the Financing Committee)
Dr. Claude Perreault, M.D.,F.R.C.P.(C): Principal Investigator, Immunobiology research unit, IRIC; hematologist, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital
Absent in the photo, members of the Financing Committee:
Jacques Bernier, Managing Partner, Teralys Capital and Board member, IRIC
Lucie Rémillard, CEO, LR STRATÉGIE INC. and Board member, IRIC
Steven Klein, Vice-President, Business Development, IRICoR

Photo credit: Dominick Gravel

SOURCE Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer - Commercialization of Research (IRICoR)