Mr. Jacques Lamarre, O.C., Honorary President of the Douglas Institute Foundation's 10th Annual Dinner and Wine Tasting Event, and President and CEO of SNC-Lavalin Group, announced February 20th that the event raised over $210,000 to benefit Douglas research and patient care.

Over 400 people gathered at The Fairmont Queen Elizabeth for a spectacular four-course meal, silent auction, rowdy and informative quiz and award presentations including the Heinz Lehmann-Pfizer Award. The Award, supported by Pfizer Canada, was won by Gustavo Turecki, M.D., Ph.D. (director of the Depressive Disorders Programme, and of the McGill Group for Suicide Studies at the Douglas, and associate professor at Department of Psychiatry at McGill University).

The turnout demonstrated that mental illness is coming out of the closet. Guests commented that the quiz was an entertaining and effective way to inform them about mental health issues and the Douglas.

The funds raised will be used to enhance patient care and education, and to continue to attract and retain top-tier scientists and clinicians in neuroscience and mental health. The Douglas Research Centre, the second largest neuroscience and mental health centre in Canada, is renowned at home and abroad for innovation and success.

The Foundation greatly appreciates the support of all its sponsors, donors, guests, and volunteers. The platinum sponsors were Hydro Québec, Lavery De Billy, SAQ and SNC-Lavalin. Alcan Groupe Métal Primaire, Banque Nationale, Bell Canada BMO Banque de Montréal, Caisse de dépot et placement du Québec, Fasken Martineau, Hewlett Packard Canada Limitée, KPMG, McLean Budden Limitée, National-Cabinet de relations publiques, Ogilvy Renault, Standard Life, and Vacances Transat were gold sponsors. Boralex Inc, Borden Ladner Gervais, CAE Inc., Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg, Fédérations des caisses Desjardins du Québec, Financière Banque Nationale, Heenan Blaikie, McCarthy Tétrault, Québecor Inc., and RBC Marché des capitaux were silver sponsors.