Saputo family donates $10 million to Montreal Heart Institute

MONTREAL – The Saputo family has donated $10 million to the Montreal Heart Institute to help the facility further invest in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and for a major expansion slated to begin this fall.

The donation from the family behind the Montreal-based cheese and dairy company will also allow the institute to build multipurpose rooms for a wider variety of classes.

Some of the $10 million will also be invested in a Chair for cardiovascular health and prevention of cognitive disorders at the University of Montreal.

Founded in 1954, the Montreal Heart Institute focuses on research in the cardiovascular field in addition to professional training and prevention.

Lino A. Saputo, Jr. has been a member of the board of the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation since last year.

The foundation has donated nearly $218 million to the Montreal Heart Institute since 1977.

“This donation from the Saputo family represents a historic commitment to the prevention of cardiovascular disease in Quebec, said Dr. Martin Juneau, the institute’s director of prevention.

“This gift will make a world of difference for our institute.”