Support from the Foundation of Stars continues to lead to hope and discovery at the Research Institute of the MUHC at The Montreal Children's Hospital

MONTREAL, March 16, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The Foundation of Stars has announced a contribution of $545,056 to The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation, to support research into childhood diseases at The Montreal Children's Hospital. This year's gift brings the Foundation of Stars' total contribution to The Children's to over $28 million since 1977. "Our longstanding partnership with the Foundation of Stars has been crucial in the evolution and success of child health research at The Montreal Children's Hospital over the years," explains Dr. Jacquetta Trasler, Scientific Director of Child Health Research at the MUHC. "Two of our leading investigators, whose missions are both currently backed by the Foundation of Stars, are making breakthroughs in their respective areas of research."

One of these researchers, pediatric hematologist-oncologist Dr. Nada Jabado, was the principal investigator of a recent study that identified two mutations in a gene involved in deadly pediatric brain tumours. The findings of this major discovery, released in January, are now raising hopes for new treatments that might one day save lives and spare patients horrendous side effects.

A second researcher, Dr. Constantin Polychronakos, continues to lead the way in better understanding the causes of juvenile diabetes. In 2010, Dr. Polychronakos' work received international attention when he led a team that pinpointed a gene with a critical role in the formation of beta-cells of the pancreas that produce insulin for the regulation of blood sugar and that are defective or destroyed in diabetes. This discovery brings new hope for a cure for diabetes.

"I am very happy to present this amount to The Montreal Children's Hospital,"says Jean Sylvain Labbé, Executive Director of the Foundation of Stars. "I am confidentthat this donation will advance important projects such as those of Drs. Nada Jabado and Constantin Polychronakos, who are dedicated to finding cures for childhood diseases and offering hope to sick children and their families. We are very proud to contribute and help children to grow up healthy by supporting The Montreal Children's Hospital."

"The Children's reputation as a world-class leader in pediatric research would not be possible without the support of partners like The Foundation of Stars," explains Marie-Josée Gariépy, President of The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation. "Year after year, The Children's  has been able to count on the Foundation of Stars to provide our brightest researchers with the tools and resources necessary to advance their work. Their results are not only making waves in the scientific community but are bringing hope and possibility to the patients and families we serve."

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION OF STARS
The Foundation of Stars supports pediatric research in Québec as a way to help our children grow up healthy. The Foundation of Stars is today recognized as the most important source of nongovernmental funding for pediatric research in Québec. Since 1977, we have distributed more than 66 million dollars to four leading research centers: the CHU Saint-Justine, The Montreal Children's Hospital, CHU Québec and CHU Sherbrooke.

ABOUT THE MONTREAL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
The Montreal Children's Hospital is the pediatric teaching hospital of the McGill University Health Centre. The Children's is a leader in providing a broad spectrum of highly specialized care to newborns, children, and adolescents from all across Quebec. The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation is currently completing The Best Care for Children Campaign to support the construction of the new Montreal Children's Hospital on the Glen Campus, which is expected to open its doors at the end of 2014.

Image with caption: "In this photo from left to right: From the Foundation of Stars, Jean Sylvain Labbé and Michel Lanteigne, President of The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation, Marie-Josée Gariépy, from the MUHC Research Institute, Dr's Constantin Polychronakos, Jaquetta Trasler and Nada Jabado. (CNW Group/The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120316_C5128_PHOTO_EN_11234.jpg

The Foundation of Stars:
Marie-André Gravel
Communications, Main Advisor
Office: [phone], ext. 234
Cell.: [phone]
[email protected]

The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation:
Luke Quin
Interim Director of Communications
Office: [phone]
Cell.: [phone]
[email protected]