Le Bal Rouge benefit gala to honour Dr. Miguel Burnier raises more than $1,000,000

Le Bal Rouge benefit gala to honour Dr. Miguel Burnier raises more than $1,000,000 for the McGill University Health Centre Ocular Pathology Laboratory

It was a wonderful gala fundraiser evening at the elegant Fairmont Queen Elizabeth; with the objective of raising funds to the world-class research and treatments being done by Dr. Miguel Burnier and his team of doctors and researchers at the MUHC. Dr. Burnier is the first Canadian to be the President of the Pan-American Association of Opthamology.

Gala Honouree Dr. Miguel and Nora Burnier, with researcher Shawn Maloney and his wife Melanie

Foundation President Julie Quenneville announced that; “Thanks to the generous support of our community, the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation has surpassed its goal, raising $5 million for the Dr. Miguel Burnier 20/20 Campaign in support of the Ocular Pathology Laboratory at the MUHC. Proceeds from the Le Bal Rouge contributed $1,000,000 to the funds raised.

The MUHC’s Ocular Pathology Laboratory strives to translate basic research findings into treatment options for patients living with ocular disease. It is an international leader in research, education and consultation and the lab’s expertise is complimented by some of the most innovative research equipment and technology available.

Working as a researcher with Dr. Burnier, Shawn Maloney spoke eloquently about how he is researching his own disease – one that has robbed him of his vision. “To the world – I’m a statistic, to my kids, I’m ‘Daddy’.” Dr. Maloney shared his belief and commitment to his daughter than he will be able to see her radiant smile when he walks her down the aisle on her wedding day… You could have heard a pin drop in the massive Queen E Ballroom.