Painting by Gilles Bossé donated to the Fondation du CHUM

Dr. Robert Provencher, general practitioner and specialist in travel medicine, Clinique Santé-voyage de la Fondation du CHUM; Dr. Jean-Pierre Guay, interim director, department of Radiation Oncology, CHUM; Jean-Pierre Brunet, director, Fondation du CHUM annual campaign.

January 5, 2010 – Dr. Robert Provencher has donated an oil painting entitled L’été indien (Indian Summer) by Gilles Bossé to the Fondation du CHUM. Dr. Provencher, a general practitioner and specialist in travel medicine at the Clinique Santé-voyage de la Fondation du CHUM, is an enthusiastic art collector. He was more than happy to donate the painting, which will brighten up the environment of patients suffering from cancer.

The painting, which went on display last week in a hallway of the Radiation Oncology department, is intended to ease the suffering – and perhaps even raise a smile – during the difficult period faced by severely ill patients and their families.

“I deeply believe people are sensitive to art,” says Dr. Provencher. “For me, this donation is a way of humanizing hospital care and helping reduce patient anxiety levels.”

Dr. Provencher isn’t alone in his belief that art can contribute to the healing process. More and more hospital centres are decorating their walls and free spaces with paintings, sculptures and other works of art.

Donations of real property or of movable goods such as works of art, commonly known as “gifts in kind,” are another great way you can help the Fondation de la CHUM support the university hospital centre in its vitally important work. The value of the donation for tax purposes is established by an independent expert, who submits a written report to the foundation.

If you would like further information or wish to make a donation in kind to the Fondation du CHUM, please feel free to contact Jean-Pierre Brunet at 514 890-8077 or 1 866 DON-CHUM (1 866 366-2486).