From left to right: Kevin Lagacé, Chantal Sylvestre, Philip Ward, Laurence Amann, Jean-François Côté, Martin Bourassa and Marie-Bénédicte Pretty.
The IRCM Foundation is proud to announce that the 24th edition of its Parcours Santé Golf Tournament, held on June 2, 2026, at the Summerlea Golf Club, raised an exceptional $336,500 for research.
Year after year, this event sells out and sets a new fundraising record. These results demonstrate the remarkable commitment of the business community, particularly the driving forces of the construction industry, which mobilized to support the Foundation's mission.
The Gift of Health to Future Generations
A flagship event for the IRCM Foundation, the tournament is a key driver supporting scientific innovation at the IRCM. The funds raised in 2026 will notably enable the acquisition of a mass spectrometer, a cutting-edge instrument capable of identifying thousands of molecules in biological samples with remarkable speed and precision. This high-tech equipment will directly contribute to accelerating discoveries and maintaining the excellence of the IRCM teams' work.
An Inspiring Mobilization
The IRCM Foundation Golf Tournament is a golden opportunity to bring together several communities, including those of the business, construction, and healthcare sectors, around a common cause. As Philip Ward, who is Senior Manager, Specialty Services and Products at Desjardins Business and the honorary co-chair of the tournament emphasized: “Today, we are all supporting the essential work of the IRCM researchers, who are contributing to discoveries that are shaping the future of health and supporting research for a healthier Quebec.”
Also serving as honorary co-chair of the tournament, Laurence Amann, who is Vice-President and General Manager at Desjardins Online Brokerage, emphasized the importance of this collective commitment: “Health is a treasure we must cherish every day. Contributing together to the advancement of scientific knowledge helps improve everyone’s health.”
For the second consecutive year, Laurence Amann and Philip Ward served as honorary co-chairs, on behalf of Desjardins, demonstrating its unwavering and sustained commitment. They were supported by a high-performing and dedicated committee of ambassadors, co-led by Chantal Sylvestre, Partner at Dentons, and Kevin Lagacé, Director of Project Management and Strategic Development at G-Teck. The involvement of each one of them greatly contributed to the event’s success.
An Event Rich in Memorable Moments
This edition was also made unique by the participation of boxer Christian Mbilli, a new collaborator of the Foundation, who joined a foursome on the course, posed for a photo shoot for the cause, and generously donated a pair of autographed boxing gloves for the live auction.
The tournament concluded with a warm and lively evening hosted by Dr. Jean-François Côté, President and Scientific Director of the Institute, who proudly shared his connection to the IRCM. Continuing the tradition, the live auction was expertly conducted by Yvon Lambert, former star player for the Montreal Canadiens, whose charisma sparked enthusiasm and fueled the bidding!
The IRCM Foundation wishes to express its deep gratitude to all individuals and organizations who contributed to the success of this edition. Thanks to its committed partners, the IRCM research teams are increasingly equipped to pursue their scientific mission. The support received clearly demonstrates that the stakeholders present have the means to empower research to achieve significant advances.
Together, For the Future of Research
In closing the evening, the Chair of the Foundation's Board of Directors, Martin Bourassa, also a partner at Balsom, emphasized the importance of collective commitment: “Now more than ever, philanthropy must play a vital role in enabling the IRCM not only to maintain its achievements, but above all to amplify its impact on the health of our community.”
