The IRCM Foundation counts some larger-than-life individuals among its best allies. Among them is a hero with a big heart, Mr. Roland Pillenière. An exceptional man and accomplished philanthropist, Mr. Pillenière has always combined vision with humility.
Mr. Pillenière was no stranger to social involvement when, in 1988, he first heard of the IRCM through his friend Pierre Shooner, who was then a member of the Institute's Board of Directors. Strong ties were subsequently forged, notably with Dr. Michel Chrétien who became a friend of Mr. Pillenière's, but also with the Institute and its Foundation of which he remains one of the biggest contributors.
A Generous Man from an Early Age
From an early age, Mr. Pillenière was imbued with a deep sense of commitment to his community. Over time, his vision and involvement in many sectors of society have enabled numerous initiatives to develop and bear fruit. At his side, his wife Gaétane has played an essential role providing unfailing support and contributing, through her structuring influence, to strengthening and perpetuating their actions. Together, they form a complementary duo, driven by values of solidarity and progress, leaving a lasting imprint on their community.
In 1960, Roland Pillenière agreed to manage Les œuvres du Dr Roch Despatis, a close friend of his, in order to perpetuate his legacy. Five years later, in 1965, driven by a desire to make a lasting difference in his community, he created his own foundation in his own name. These two organizations were to become the pillars of his philanthropic work, the impact of which is still tangible today.
Among his major achievements was a donation that enabled the Montreal Heart Institute's Epic Centre to be set up in 1969. Mr. Pillenière was also behind the donation of two lots of land for the construction of the Centre d'accueil Marcelle Ferron, a residence for the frail elderly, and for the building of the center that houses the Alzheimer Society of the South Shore.
A man of action, Mr. Pillenière will also invest in rehabilitation programs for the homeless and prisoners, offering a second chance to those who need it most, and demonstrating the power of philanthropy to truly transform lives.
Supporting Healthcare Research
It was in 2016, through his commitment to the IRCM Foundation, that his work took a new turn. Thanks to substantial financial support, he will help set up the RNA and Non-coding Mechanisms of Disease Research Unit, headed by Dr. Martin Sauvageau at the IRCM.
Then, affected by vision problems himself, he made a multi-year commitment to support Dr. Michel Cayouette's promising work in eye health, within the Institute's Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit.
Recently, to perpetuate the impact of the Fondation Pillenière and the Œuvres du Dr Roch Despatie in cutting-edge research, Mr. Pillenière supported the creation of the Fonds de la Fondation Pillenière et des Œuvres du Dr Roch Despatie within the IRCM Foundation. To this date, he has donated nearly $2.5 million to the IRCM Foundation in support of health research at the Institute.
Mr. Roland Pillenière is one of those people who leave their mark on our era through his humanity, his sense of duty and his ability to inspire for the benefit of a better future for others. The IRCM Foundation and the IRCM community have joined forces to pay tribute to him and keep his legacy alive.
