Launch of the Mila and Brian Mulroney Philanthropic Chair in Diabetes at the IRCM: helping ease the burden of a complex disease

Rémi Rabasa-Lhoret

Credit: IRCM

Supported by the family of the late Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney and other donors, the Chair's aim is to prevent the onset of type 1 diabetes, alleviate the social and individual burden of this chronic disease and, ultimately, promote its cure.

Over the next 10 years, it's hoped that $10 million can be raised to help meet these objectives. The Chair will also support work on rare forms of diabetes, such as cystic fibrosis-related diabetes. In his lifetime, Mulroney, who knew the IRCM well, expressed the desire to support the Institute in its missions of care, research and training of the next generation.

His widow, Mila Mulroney, noted that "3.7 million Canadians have diabetes, including 1.2 million here in Quebec. My husband was diagnosed with this disease in 2005. Thanks to the support of Dr Rabasa-Lhoret's team at the IRCM, he was able to simplify his treatment and significantly reduce the risk of complications. In his daily life, Brian was able to see the positive impacts of research, which enabled him to go about his normal activities."

Added the IRCM Foundation's president, André Couillard: "Mr. Mulroney had the well-being of the community at heart, and did not hesitate to invest personally, over the years, in many of our Foundation's activities. We are very grateful to him. This philanthropic chair in the name of Mila and Brian Mulroney will enable us to perpetuate the prime minister's commitment to the IRCM, for the benefit of all and their health."

"We are grateful and proud to receive the invaluable support of Mrs. Mila Mulroney for this major project, which will benefit patients in so many ways.," commented Dr. Jean-François Côté, the IRCM's president and scientific director.

"Over the next ten years, we aim to be a major player in the prevention, improved care and cure of type 1 diabetes and rare forms of diabetes," said Rabasa-Lhoret, director of the IRCM's diabetes clinic and of the Institute's metabolic diseases research unit. "To achieve our ambitious goals, we place patients at the heart of our projects, bring together a critical mass of talented researchers and train the next generation."  

Affiliated with Université de Montréal, the IRCM offers a unique environment to host  such a Chair. Its diabetes clinic is one of the largest in Eastern Canada for the care of adult patients living with type 1 diabetes. It also offers specialized care for people living with rare diabetes, including cystic-fibrosis-related diabetes. At the IRCM,  all care and research projects are developed in conjunction with patient partners.