Behind the CHUM: Donors that bring hope
Behind the scenes at the CHUM, its Foundation and donors provide vital support. These caring individuals empower the CHUM’s teams to act faster than disease and drive innovation, research, teaching and care forward. Among them are Dominique and Guy Morali, former restaurant owners who chose to make a real difference to the CHUM and the health of the people of Quebec, who gave them so much. This is their story.
Dominique and Guy came to Montréal from Paris in the mid-1970s on the advice of their good friend, the famous René Angélil, and immediately fell in love with the city. They opened a restaurant, Guy and Dodo Morali, a local favourite of the biggest names in show business and downtown businesspeople for over three decades.
Soon after the couple retired from a rich and rewarding career, Dominique was unfortunately struck by illness. Her battle began in 2011 with breast cancer, which was treated at the CHUM, before being diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia seven years later. This insidious illness starts with facial twitching that seems harmless, but gradually progresses to episodes of facial pain so intense the person may not be able to open their mouth. The condition can appear and disappear unexpectedly. When he witnessed one excruciating attack, Guy called for an ambulance, unwilling to watch the woman he loved suffer while waiting for a doctor’s appointment. Dominique asked to be taken to the CHUM, whose teams she trusted completely.
Trigeminal neuralgia is a relatively rare neurological condition that affects about 0.3% of the population, mainly women over 50. Typically caused by a blood vessel, usually the superior cerebellar artery, compressing the trigeminal nerve, it tends to affect one side of the face and causes intense pain. Similar to electric shocks, attacks can occur suddenly or be brought on by the simple act of speaking, eating, drinking or touching your face.
She was treated with great care—particularly by neurologist and headache clinic director Dr. Heather Pim, who she describes as an angel—but the treatments brought her little relief. The pain would come and go without warning, turning the couple’s lives completely upside down. Dominique stopped eating and withdrew from loved ones, leaving Guy powerless in the face of this perplexing illness. For months, Dr. Pim followed Dominique closely and adjusted her medication. Against all odds, Dominique found herself pain-free in fall 2023.
Despite fearing a relapse, the couple gradually started to rebuild their lives. By telling their story, they hope to shed more light on this mysterious and difficult-to-treat type of neuralgia and bring hope to others with the condition. Grateful for the care they received and, more broadly, for the place they call home, Dominique and Guy Morali wanted to leave a lasting mark on the health of future generations. For this generous couple, leaving a legacy gift to the CHUM Foundation was an obvious choice.
The Visionary Circle is a group of donors united by their shared desire to leave a lasting mark on the health of generations to come by making a planned gift such as a legacy donation to the CHUM Foundation.
Want to learn more?
The CHUM Foundation has a specialized team that’s ready to help you discuss your options confidentially and with no commitment. Call our planned giving team at 514-444-8186 or email donsplanifies@fondationduchum.com to learn more.
