News Releases

BMO Financial Group and Dignitas International today announced the contribution of $1 million from BMO to support the establishment of a Research and Operations Support Unit for Toronto-based Dignitas International, which is pioneering a “made-in-Canada” model for the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS internationally.

The donation was presented to Dr. James Orbinski, President of Dignitas International, at a special event hosted by The Canadian Club of Toronto at the MaRS Collaboration Centre, in Toronto, this evening.

“In areas overwhelmed by the pandemic, such as Malawi, Africa, there is a severe lack of healthcare personnel and resources,” said Dr. Orbinski.  “However, by linking individuals and groups at the grassroots with the formal health system, people can be empowered to participate in a continuum of care that will allow their families, neighbours and communities to survive AIDS. 

“Unless a sustainable, cost-effective and replicable healthcare delivery model is developed, the international response will fail to save the millions of people in need of HIV/AIDS treatment and effective prevention,” said Dr. Orbinski.  “The magnitude of BMO's donation is important, and it will go directly to the refinement and dissemination of our community-based care model being developed in Malawi in collaboration with the Malawi Ministry of Health. It is our hope that this kind of leadership will encourage other corporations to step up and join the fight against this pandemic.”

“Dignitas International is helping to knock down the barriers that prevent millions of people from gaining access to AIDS treatment and prevention,” said Jacques M�nard, Chairman, BMO Capital Markets.   “HIV testing, Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission, and treatment with life-extending antiretroviral therapies demand a greater commitment from the business community and closer links between governments, nongovernmental organizations, communities and individuals,” he said.

“We share a fundamental belief in the dignity of every human being; clearly, the dignity of millions who are afflicted with AIDS is denied as they suffer and die without access to treatment,” said Tony Comper, President and Chief Executive Officer, BMO Financial Group. “Through BMO's partnership with Dignitas, we hope to encourage additional support from corporate Canada – and indeed from other corporations around the world – to develop this replicable model of community-based care.”

About Dignitas International

Dignitas International is a pioneering medical humanitarian organization working with communities to dramatically increase access to life-saving treatment and prevention in areas overwhelmed by HIV/AIDS. Founded by a group of international health and research experts, Dignitas is led by Dr. James Orbinski, who accepted the 1999 Nobel Peace Prize as International President of M�decins Sans Fronti�res (MSF/Doctors Without Borders).

Dignitas has been treating patients and refining its model for healthcare delivery in Zomba District, Malawi, since October 2004. Dignitas is now beginning to expand its community-based care model and is decentralizing medical services to local health centres so that more people living with HIV/AIDS across the entire district can receive the treatment and care they so desperately need.

About BMO Financial Group

Since its founding in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group has been committed to corporate and social responsibility and the principles of sustainable development. In 2005, BMO Financial Group contributed $29.5 million in corporate donations, sponsorships and events in Canada, supporting thousands of communities, charities and not-for-profit organizations across the country. BMO was also named Canada's Best Corporate Citizen for 2005 by Corporate Knights and is the only financial institution to be ranked amongst the top ten Best Corporate Citizens in each of the last four years.  

INTERVIEWS/PHOTOS:            6:00pm – 6:30pm

                                    7:40pm – 8:00pm

WHAT:          Evening Celebration – Harnessing the Power of Community to Fight AIDS

WHEN:          Thursday, August 10, 2006 6:30 PM

WHERE:       MaRS Collaboration Centre, 101 College Street, Toronto

WHO:              

Noella Milne – President, The Canadian Club of Toronto

Dr. Janice Gross Stein – Director of the Munk Centre for International Studies, University of Toronto

David Fleck – Director, Dignitas International Executive Managing Director, BMO Capital Markets.

L. Jacques M�nard – Chairman, BMO Capital Markets

Dr. James Orbinski – President, Dignitas International

Musical Guests include Ugandan-born Achilla Orru

                       

For building access media are required to register in advance by contacting Kathe Rogers, at Dignitas International (see contact information below).

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