October 28th, 2010: The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) has officially received a generous donation of $1.5 million from CIBC to The Best Care For Life Campaign in support of the MUHC comprehensive cancer centre at the Glen Campus, now under construction. Pediatric cancer care will receive $500,000 through The Best Care for Children Campaign and $1 million will go towards adult cancer care, specifically for breast cancer.

"At CIBC, we believe in making a difference by supporting causes that matter to our clients, employees and our communities," said Sylvain Vinet, Senior Vice-President, CIBC Retail Markets, Eastern Canada. "The MUHC is embarking on a project that will change the landscape of health care in the region. We are proud to be part of it and to contribute to the well-being of the community.”

The MUHC’s comprehensive cancer centre will provide leading-edge cancer services, from secondary prevention and screening, to state-of-the-art treatment, symptom management and end-of-life care. With new and improved facilities, all MUHC cancer care services will be located under one roof, facilitating and improving continuity of care.

“Changing the outcomes of complex diseases, such as cancer, takes sustained inquiry, collaboration and investment in Canada’s academic health centres,” said the Hon. Arthur T. Porter, MUHC Director General and CEO. “Through its generous support of The Best Care for Life Campaign, CIBC is an invaluable asset in the MUHC’s quest to improve Canadians’ health and well-being. In addition, CIBC’s leadership in making a difference to the cancer cause is clearly demonstrated through its significant support of the Tour CIBC Charles-Bruneau, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure and the CIBC 401 Bike Challenge which benefits the Sarah Cook Fund at the Montreal Children’s Hospital.”

“This is an important example of the commitment of CIBC to Montreal and Quebec. Their contribution will help us to achieve our goal of providing the state-of-the-art facilities that will improve health care here for generations to come,” said John Rae, Chair of The Best Care for Life Campaign. “We are extremely grateful for their support with this generous donation.”

“We congratulate and thank CIBC for demonstrating its concern for young patients living with cancer and their families by investing in The Best Care for Children Campaign,” added Dr. Nicolas Steinmetz, Chairman of The Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation.