Near $50,000 were raised to fight the two leading causes of death in Canada
MONTREAL, Sept. 8, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Specialists of the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) Pierre Laramée, cardiologist and Paul Perrotte, uro-oncologist and president of the Council of Physicians, Dentists and Pharmacists completed the Doctors for Oncology and Cardiology Bicycle Challenge (DOC-Bicycle Challenge) with a score of cyclists including a few CHUM doctors and professionals and Luc Grisé, a patient with cardiovascular disease who survived cancer. They completed a 275-km cycle ride from Montreal to Quebec City and raised to this date about $50,000 for their hospital's foundation. The fundraising is not over yet, it will continue in the upcoming months.
Cyclists braved the wind and heavy rain for nearly 150 km. Despite the bad weather and an unfortunate fall, they arrived safely to Quebec City at 5:30 PM., maintaining an average speed of 35 km/h.
''By bringing together colleagues, friends and patients, the Challenge shows that the passion and dedication that drive CHUM professionals go well beyond the confines of the hospital. It also demonstrates that this desire for involvement reaches many people. I am proud of what we have accomplished to fight cancer and cardiovascular diseases'', explained Dr. Laramée.
''I wanted to create a physical challenge that would pay tribute to the courage that our patients demonstrate. Riding 275 km in a day is nothing compare to the challenges our patients face as a result of their illnesses, but it is a symbolic way to salute their strength. I am glad to be able to help my patients in another way, by raising funds for them'', said Dr. Perrotte, DOC-Bicycle Challenge instigator.
The amount of money raised will be given to the Fondation du CHUM and will contribute to improving the quality of care, raising consciousness among the patients and their family, training healthcare professionals and supporting research projects.
About the Fondation du CHUM
Placing the patient at the heart of its commitment, the mission of the Fondation du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) is to support one of the largest teaching hospital centres in North America. Thanks to the generosity of its donors, the Fondation is able to provide a source of complementary funding to the CHUM, thus helping to maintain its position as an international benchmark. Since its inception in 1998, the Fondation has contributed more than $120 million to the hospital, helping it to acquire advanced equipment, supporting research projects leading to the development of promising treatments, and financing medical training and health promotion. The Fondation also relies on the support of its Clinique Santé-voyage and Clinique Santé-préventive, from which all profits go directly to the Fondation. Giving Ourselves the Best in Healthcare. fondationduchum.com
Photos are available upon request.
Image with caption: "Ékram Antoine Rabbat, President and CEO, Fondation du CHUM; Dr. Paul Perrotte, uro-oncologist and president of the Council of Physicians, Dentists and Pharmacists, CHUM; Jacques Turgeon, Executive Director, CHUM; Luc Grisé, CHUM patient; Dr Pierre Laramée, cardiologist, CHUM (CNW Group/Fondation du CHUM)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140908_C3561_PHOTO_EN_5395.jpg
SOURCE: Fondation du CHUM
Elodie Grange, Director, Communications and Marketing, Fondation du CHUM, 514 890-8361, [email protected]
Share this article