Paul Durocher’s extraordinary $45 million legacy gift to fund the rollout of the CHUM’s Precision Medicine Strategy
The CHUM Foundation is proud to announce that the Paul Durocher estate’s incredibly generous $45 million donation will play a pivotal role in implementing the CHUM’s Precision Medicine Strategy. This revolutionary strategy will be a huge step forward for the CHUM, shaping the next 50 years of medicine, all thanks to Paul Durocher’s invaluable support.
Read on to learn more about the CHUM’s Precision Medicine Strategy and how this transformative donation will be used to act faster than disease.
Precision medicine: Innovating for a healthier future
Precision medicine takes into account the individual differences in each patient’s genes, environment and lifestyle. The CHUM’s expert scientists and cutting-edge technology have enabled advances in research and big data analytics that will power precision medicine to improve the health and well-being of Quebecers through more effective and personalized preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
There is growing consensus that there is a large degree of heterogeneity in the majority of chronic illnesses, including cancer and metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. This means that not all patients respond the same way to treatments or have the same risk of complications—each patient has their own illness trajectory. Despite this, disease prevention, detection and treatment are currently based on the average person’s response. That’s why at the CHUM, our medical staff’s vision is to transform patient care by moving beyond traditional medical practices and embracing the potential of precision medicine.
For example, two breast cancer patients can respond differently to the same treatment depending on the unique properties of their tumours. Likewise, the risk of complications in type 2 diabetes patients can vary between individuals because of genetic differences.
Thanks to Paul Durocher’s generosity, the CHUM will be able to prove just how valuable this innovative approach is to a healthier future. This donation is also a powerful tool that will give the CHUM’s teams a leg up in applying for major grants and push CHUM leadership to aim big.
About Paul Durocher and his gift
Born in Montréal in 1929, Paul Durocher grew up as one of nine children in a family of modest means during the Great Depression. He first trained as a mechanic before going on to found numerous businesses in a wide range of industries. He went from rags to riches, all the while donating to a number of causes, often anonymously, throughout his life.
This major donation is part of an extraordinary legacy gift of $140 million to four Montréal foundations: the CHUM Foundation, Montreal Heart Institute Foundation, the St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation and the Société de Saint-Vincent de Paul de Montréal. Learn more about Paul Durocher and his incredible philanthropy here: Paul Durocher estate – Historic donation: An inspiring generosity.
In the twilight of his life, Paul Durocher sold off a large portion of his assets, took the proceeds and grew them to maximize his bequest to the four foundations. His support will be the foundation for numerous projects that will shape the future of healthcare and improve the lives of so many patients.
“Paul Durocher was always driven to help those most vulnerable in our society,” says Pascale Bouchard, president and CEO of the CHUM Foundation. “He was a humble and discreet man. He wasn’t looking for praise, but we simply cannot let his extraordinary generosity go overlooked.”
Paul Durocher may have passed, but his vision and values live on in his gift.
