Inauguration of the Opération Enfant Soleil Garden

The CHU Sainte-Justine and its Foundation highlight the exceptional commitment of Opération Enfant Soleil through the years

MONTREAL, Sept. 25, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - An invaluable partner of the CHU Sainte-Justine and its Foundation for 30 years, this morning Opération Enfant Soleil was at the CHU Sainte-Justine for the official inauguration of the garden bearing its name at the new Special Care Unit building. The CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation took advantage of the occasion to express its sincere gratitude for the organization's exceptional support, which has provided Sainte-Justine with the best means of healing more children, and healing them better. It was also an opportunity to highlight Opération Enfant Soleil's incredible commitment to Quebec's children by facilitating the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment that enables the CHU Sainte-Justine to continually push the boundaries of innovation and excellence.

"Today, the impact of Opération Enfant Soleil's continued support resonates throughout the CHU Sainte-Justine. Over the past 30 years, this exceptional partner has not only left its mark on the history of Sainte-Justine, but has also played a leading role in the development of quality pediatrics for children throughout Quebec," said Ms. Maud Cohen, President and CEO of the CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation. "The CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation is proud to share with Opération Enfant Soleil the same vision of healing more children, better, and offering them a healthy future among the best in the world. The inauguration of the Opération Enfant Soleil Garden is a symbol of their extraordinary dedication to our institution over the years," she added.

Dr. Fabrice Brunet, President and CEO of the CHU Sainte-Justine, remarked on the importance of Quebec philanthropy and of the significance of Opération Enfant Soleil's exceptional commitment, which enables Sainte-Justine to strive for excellence and continually surpass its ambitions. "Through their loyal and unwavering support, Opération Enfant Soleil has helped the CHU Sainte-Justine secure its role as a leader in pediatric health across the province," he said. "The integration of cutting-edge equipment into the pediatric system is revolutionizing the way we work, and provides both patients and medical personnel with a fitting environment where quality of care is at an all-time high. Our new buildings have also been thoughtfully designed to create suitable environments that support well-being and bring the outdoors inside. The Opération Enfant Soleil Garden is full of life, a place where people can come together, and an important space for both the families and the staff of the CHU Sainte-Justine. We are extremely pleased to see it carry Opération Enfant Soleil's name in recognition their major commitment to Sainte-Justine, spanning three decades," he added.

For Maxime Pleau-Brunet, 16, and his parents, Mrs. Julie Brunet and Mr. Sylvain Pleau, the acquisition of advanced technologies at the CHU Sainte-Justine, made possible thanks to the generosity of Opération Enfant Soleil, is a true blessing. "Our gratitude to the entire Sainte-Justine family is immense. The doctors were able to remove the tumour from Maxime's brain thanks to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology, which made it possible to obtain images of his surgery virtually in real time, and that equipment was acquired thanks to donations from Opération Enfant Soleil. My son is alive today because of this highly revolutionary technology," said Mr. Pleau.

"Opération Enfant Soleil has been contributing to the healing of Quebec children for 30 years, while also helping to improve their quality of life," said Ms. Anne Hudon, CEO. "Thanks to the generosity and commitment of our donors and partners, every year we can continue to support the CHU Sainte-Justine, a beacon of health care in Quebec, for the benefit of children and their families," she added.

Opération Enfant Soleil has been involved with the CHU Sainte-Justine since 1988, and has always contributed to providing children and their families with quality care and an environment suited to their needs. For Opération Enfant Soleil, playing a lead role in the CHU Sainte-Justine's plans for the future ? to heal more children, better ? means harnessing innovation. Innovation improves lives and allows every child to hope for the best future possible.

About the CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation
The CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation's mission is to engage the community and support the CHU Sainte-Justine in its pursuit of excellence and its commitment to providing children and mothers with one of the highest levels of healthcare in the world, now and in the future. fondation-sainte-justine.org/en/

About the CHU Sainte-Justine
The Sainte-Justine university hospital centre (CHU Sainte-Justine) is the largest mother-child centre in Canada and the second largest pediatric hospital in North America. A member of the Université de Montréal extended network of excellence in health (RUIS), Sainte-Justine has 5,457 employees, including 1,532 nurses and nursing assistants; 1,000 other healthcare professionals; 520 physicians, dentists and pharmacists; 822 residents  and over 204 researchers; 411 volunteers; and 4,416 interns and students in a wide range of disciplines. Sainte-Justine has 484 beds, including 67 at the Centre de réadaptation Marie Enfant (CRME), the only exclusively pediatric rehabilitation centre in Quebec. The World Health Organization has recognized CHU Sainte-Justine as a "health promoting hospital." chusj.org

About Opération Enfant-Soleil
Opération Enfant Soleil raises funds to support the development of high-quality pediatrics for all sick children in Quebec.

Donations have made it possible to carry out hundreds of projects each year in local organizations as well as in major pediatric centres, which are equipped with cutting-edge technology and welcoming environments, and in regional hospitals, where children can be treated near their families.

Thanks to the generosity of thousands of Quebeckers, the support of volunteers and the dedication of our partners, more than $210 M has been distributed throughout the province. For more information, visit operationenfantsoleil.ca.

SOURCE CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation