The 2025 Grand Banquet de l’extraordinaire: An unforgettable evening benefitting the CHUM Foundation
March 20 brought elegance and merriment to the Grand Quay of the Port of Montreal. The fourth edition of the Grand Banquet de l’extraordinaire fully sold out, raising over $1,500,113 for the CHUM Foundation.
These vitally needed funds will help to drive technological innovation and cutting-edge treatments at the CHUM to improve care for patients, now and in the future.-
“I am enormously proud to see that our Grand Banquet de l’extraordinaire has become so important to the business community. This is a testament to the reach of the CHUM and its Foundation, and to our local leaders’ commitment to working for the health of current and future generations. The CHUM is one of the best hospitals in Canada. We should be proud of the CHUM, we should celebrate it, and above all, we should take care of it.”
Honouring the CHUM’s Hematologic Oncology Unit
The theme of the evening was flocks, inspired by the seamless movement of birds in synchronized flight, and paid tribute to the incredible advances made by the CHUM’s Hematologic Oncology Unit. This high-flying unit includes internationally renowned specialists and researchers and plays a key role in cancer research and treatment. Notably, the unit’s work on immunotherapy and the role of the microbiome in treatment efficacy has put the CHUM at the forefront of medical breakthroughs in oncology.
Every day, these dedicated teams provide high-precision care to thousands of patients and work to develop new therapeutic approaches that are transforming the future of medicine. These innovations are thanks to the support of the Foundation and its generous donors, who are giving patients better chances at recovery.
A standout moment at the Banquet was the awarding of the $40,000 Bourse de l’extraordinaire to the teams of the CHUM’s Hematologic Oncology Unit. The award, an initiative made possible by the loyal support of Engel & Völkers, funds cutting-edge projects in medicine.
A feast for the senses... and the tastebuds
Over 540 guests came together for an intimate evening of exceptional, immersive experiences. Host Lydia Bouchard ably steered Banquet attendees through an event full of emotional highlights, accompanied by a feast created by Chef Samuel Sirois, finalist at the 2023 Bocuse d’Or, with Chef Marc‑André Jetté of the restaurant Hoogan et Beaufort. The menu was a veritable ode to gastronomy, with each bite more delicious than the last.
Dedicated and inspiring honorary co-chairs
Presiding over the evening were honorary co-chairs Marie-Claude Dumas, President of WSP Canada, and Philippe Adam, President and CEO of Pomerleau. Their leadership and commitment to the cause were vital to making the Banquet such a resounding success. They mobilized their networks, raised the CHUM Foundation banner high, and were a major part of why this year’s Banquet punched well above its weight.
The influential pair brought together hundreds of philanthropists and business leaders to support a cause that affects everyone in Quebec. With their support, this year’s Grand Banquet de l’extraordinaire was far and away the largest yet, and showcased the CHUM’s mission well beyond the hospital’s walls.
“The CHUM Foundation team does remarkable work for its hospital and its community, and the Grand Banquet de l’extraordinaire is a way to raise much-needed funds to support transformative projects in healthcare. I am deeply proud to be an honorary co-chair of the 2025 Banquet, because I am convinced that the collaborative efforts of the Foundation and the business community are helping to drive cutting-edge research and the development of innovative solutions—providing better treatment to the patients of today and of tomorrow.”
“The business community’s commitment to charitable causes like the Grand Banquet de l’extraordinaire is key to building a better future for everyone. By supporting the CHUM Foundation, we can improve quality of life in our communities and strengthen the economic and social fabric of our society.”
Partners committed to the cause
The Banquet’s success is the result of an extraordinary level of collective effort. The CHUM Foundation is deeply grateful to its major partners:
- WSP Canada and Pomerleau, event co-chairs
- Groupe HD and Quebecor, Major Patrons
- Desjardins and Intelcom, committed Patrons
- National Bank — Private Banking 1859 and 3P Constructions, Extraordinary Partners
- Norton Rose Fulbright and Lafond, Benefactors
- Aon, Auction
- Audi Popular, Valet
The event of the season for the future of health
Thanks to the compassion and generosity of all of the event’s partners and attendees, the Grand Banquet de l’extraordinaire has once again demonstrated why it plays such an important role in improving healthcare in Quebec.
Découvrez le travail de ces chercheuses et chercheurs d’exception qui œuvrent au Centre de recherche du CHUM.
Join us in 2026 for another incredible evening of philanthropy!
Interested in attending the next edition of the Grand Banquet de l’extraordinaire?
Learn more about the 2026 Banquet
