Quebecor today announced a $2 million donation to the Foundation of the Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec (IUCPQ Foundation) to kick off its fundraising campaign. The slogan for the fund drive is Laissez parler votre coeur, or “let your heart speak.” Pierre Karl Péladeau, Chairman of the Board of Hydro-Québec and Vice Chairman of the Board of Quebecor Inc., will serve as President of the campaign, which has a $30 million target. In addition to its monetary contribution Quebecor will promote the fundraiser in its multiple media outlets.

Funds raised will go toward five priority projects identified by the IUCPQ: creating specialized cardiac procedure rooms, expanding the regional laboratory of sleep-related breathing disorders, creating a Knowledge Centre, developing and supporting research in areas such as more effective treatment and prevention programs, and financing a dedicated fund for prevention and rehabilitation.

Mr. Péladeau has assembled a winning team of high-profile figures to ensure the campaign’s success, including René Angélil, Alban D'Amours, Daniel Gauthier, Sam Hamad, Régis Labeaume, Sister Carmelle Landry of the Sœurs de la Charité de Québec, Pierre Lavoie, Robert Lepage, Agnès Maltais, Brian Mulroney and Hervé Pomerleau, who will serve as Campaign Governors. The Campaign Board will include Alain Bouchard, Yvon Charest, André Couture, Michel Delamarre, Daniel Doyle, Jean M. Gagné, Louis Garneau, Jean-Yves Germain, Stephan Huot, Jean Leclerc, Christian Lessard, Geneviève Marcon, Marie-Josée Nadeau, Jean Raby and Michael Sabia.

In Québec we are blessed with an outstanding quality of life, and our healthcare system is a big part of that: everyone has access to high quality care and the right to be treated with dignity. I believe it is vitally important to invest in the community, to support individuals and organizations that are working for the common good. Our health and medical research institutions are prime examples. The specialists at the Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec are giving us the greatest gift of all: keeping us alive and healthy! The IUCPQ serves 30% of Québec’s population and performs more heart surgeries and transplants than any other hospital in the province. This is an opportunity to give generously to support healthcare and medical research in Québec. My father taught me a valuable lesson: When you have been given a lot, it’s important to give a lot back.