
Dilawri Foundation Makes Historic $60 Million Gift to Revolutionize Heart Care
Led by Dr. David Wood, Head of Cardiology at VGH and UBC Hospital, the new Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute is embedded within the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, one of the top-funded research institutes in Canada.
This transformative gift, the largest in the history of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, is unique as $35 million will help fund a proposed new multi-use tower at the corner of Oak Street and West 12 th Avenue and $25 million is for an unprecedented Innovation Fund.
Building on Vancouver's global reputation, the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute will use the Innovation Fund to achieve its goal of becoming a national cardiovascular hub and one of the world's leading cardiovascular institutes. This will be accomplished by establishing a cardiovascular research and clinical care network with partner sites throughout North America and Europe and by recruiting the best clinicians and scientists from Canada and around the globe.
Since 2002, the Dilawri Foundation — the philanthropic outreach of the Dilawri Group of Companies, Canada's largest automotive group — has contributed millions of dollars to health care, education, and social-impact initiatives. The Foundation is committed to making a lasting difference in the lives of Canadians by advancing health care, education, and social services across the country. This $60 million donation represents the Foundation's largest gift since its inception.
VANCOUVER, BC, June 5, 2025 /CNW/ - In a landmark announcement, the Dilawri Foundation has made a record-setting $60 million philanthropic gift to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation to establish the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute (DCI) on the Vancouver General Hospital campus.
"For our family, this is about bringing our values of compassion and community to life through meaningful investments that allow us to give back in a lasting way," said Ajay Dilawri, Co-founder of both the Dilawri Foundation and Dilawri. "We're honoured to support the exceptional team at Vancouver General Hospital and help advance a future where everyone in British Columbia — and beyond — has access to world-class cardiac care. Our goal is to help establish a global centre of excellence that will set a new benchmark for cardiac innovation and treatment. We hope this gift will help improve health care and quality of life on a broader scale."
The gift also represents a major milestone in the mission of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, which plays a critical role in enabling innovation, recruiting top talent, and helping the people of British Columbia have access to the best care possible.
As the leading charity investing in health care innovation in the province, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation connects visionary donors with world-class health care teams to help build healthier communities across British Columbia. By supporting Vancouver General Hospital, UBC Hospital, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, and Vancouver Community Health Services, the Foundation plays an essential role in fueling groundbreaking research, cutting-edge technology, and life-saving care.
"This is a truly historic moment for health care philanthropy in Canada," said Angela Chapman, President and CEO of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. "The Dilawri Foundation's extraordinary generosity will help Vancouver and British Columbia attract and retain world-leading clinicians and researchers from Canada and around the globe. It will allow the talented specialists at VGH to accelerate discoveries and translate them into better patient care and outcomes for the people of British Columbia and beyond. Inspired by a first-hand experience of the specialized care provided at VGH, this is an incredible act of gratitude and philanthropy."
The new Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute will be led by Dr. David Wood, a world-renowned structural and interventional cardiologist and Head of the Division of Cardiology at VGH and UBC Hospital.
"Our clinicians and researchers are focused on using new technology and discoveries to improve access to care, shorten wait times, improve outcomes, and decrease recovery times. We have already taught centres throughout North America and around the globe how to replace heart valves in under 30 minutes so patients can go home the same day, or how to treat heart rhythm problems sooner — long before any cardiac damage becomes permanent," said Dr. David Wood.
He added: "I am so incredibly proud of the amazing work our investigators have already accomplished. The new infrastructure and Innovation Fund will allow us to fulfill our goal: to become one of the leading cardiovascular institutes in the world. Our goal is to help patients live longer, symptom-free lives thanks to the disruptive innovation made possible by the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute."
"The Dilawri Foundation's visionary support will have a profound and lasting impact on heart health for generations to come. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality, innovative health care, and this investment will enable us to continue our goal of providing leading-edge cardiac medicine, contributing to the global advancement of this field," said Vivian Eliopoulos, President and CEO, Vancouver Coastal Health.
"Our family has been deeply moved by the incredible care, expertise, and compassion we've received from the team at Vancouver General Hospital," said Kap Dilawri, Co-founder of both the Dilawri Foundation and Dilawri. "We believe the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute will have a profound and lasting impact on patients, families, and communities — not only in Vancouver but also globally."
To learn more about the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute, visit dilawriinstitute.org.
About VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is Vancouver Coastal Health's primary philanthropic partner, raising funds for specialized adult health care services and research for all people living in British Columbia. As the leading charity investing in health care innovation in British Columbia, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation partners with donors to raise essential funds for Vancouver Coastal Health, supporting VGH, UBC Hospital, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, and Vancouver Community Health Services.
To learn more about VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, visit vghfoundation.ca.
About Dilawri
Privately owned and operated since 1984, Dilawri continues to build on its legacy as Canada's largest automotive group. While its roots are firmly planted in automotive retail, Dilawri has expanded its portfolio through a dedicated investment division with strategic interests in real estate and a range of diversified holdings.
Dilawri is committed to leadership in the communities it serves as well as in business. Through the Dilawri Foundation, established in 2002, the company has contributed millions of dollars to a wide range of charitable causes.
To learn more about Dilawri, visit dilawri.ca.
About Vancouver Coastal Health
Vancouver Coastal Health is committed to delivering exceptional care to 1.25 million people, including the First Nations, Métis and Inuit, within the traditional territories of the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo-Xai'xais, Lil'wat, Musqueam, N'Quatqua, Nuxalk, Samahquam, shíshálh, Skatin, Squamish, Tla'amin, Tsleil-Waututh, Wuikinuxv, and Xa'xtsa.
To learn more about Vancouver Coastal Health, visit vch.ca.
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Global News
13 hours ago
- Global News
Canada set up a $50M vaccine injury. Those harmed say it's failing them
Kimberly MacDougall lay in a hospital bed beside her injured husband, Stephen, as his final moments came. She and their two kids held him as he took his last breath. Stephen, 45, a service manager for a luxury automobile dealership, had been fighting to live for weeks in May 2021, but stopped struggling. She informed friends on social media that the man she loved, incredibly fit and with no prior health issues, wouldn't make it. Outside the window of his intensive care room in Peterborough, Ont., an impromptu group of friends soon gathered to hold a vigil, in love and support. 'I saw things nobody should see and I wasn't equipped to deal with,' MacDougall remembered four years later. 'I watched them use the paddles on him. I watched them bag him.' A rare adverse reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine left Stephen dead in his prime. Ross Wightman, a former pilot and realtor, social worker Shannon Dupont, and kindergarten assistant Kayla Pollock also suffered life-altering injuries after their vaccinations. These four people, and their families, were among millions of Canadians who rolled up their sleeves to get their shots during the pandemic. For their loved ones, communities and country. The largest public immunization in Canadian history reduced the spread of deadly disease, saving the lives of thousands of Canadians by mitigating the effects of the virus and reducing emergency room admissions. For most, vaccines slowly brought life back to normal. But for a small group injured by their shots, life never returned to what it once was. The 0.011 per cent The government reassured the public that serious side effects were possible, but rare. Advertisement There have been 11,702 reports of serious adverse events following a COVID-19 vaccination, according to Health Canada. That's equal to 0.011 per cent of the 105,015,456 doses administered as of December 2023. As a way to help, then-prime minister Justin Trudeau announced the Vaccine Injury Support Program (VISP) in December 2020. The effort, which began six months later, aimed to support people who have been seriously and permanently injured by any Health Canada-authorized vaccine administered in the country on or after Dec. 8, 2020. Approved claimants could receive lump sum injury or death payouts, ongoing income replacement, and reimbursement of medical expenses. But instead of the government operating VISP, as is done with similar programs in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, Canada elected to outsource the work. In March 2021, the government hired Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Consulting Inc. — now called Oxaro Inc. — to administer the program. The challenges began soon after it launched. A Global News investigation has uncovered complaints that the program has failed to deliver on its promise of 'fair and timely' access to financial support for the injured. This five-month probe is based on more than 30 interviews with injured and ill people, former VISP workers, and attorneys who allege the effort is being mismanaged, leaving claimants feeling angry, abandoned, uncared for, and even abused. 'They promised to take care of us,' MacDougall added. 'They didn't fulfil their promise.' This Global News investigation also revealed: Oxaro Inc., has received $50.6 million in taxpayer money. $33.7 million has been spent on administrative costs, while injured Canadians received only $16.9 million PHAC and Oxaro underestimated the number of injury claims VISP would get, initially predicting 40 per year and then up to 400 valid claims annually. More than 3,000 applications have been filed — of those, 1,700 people are still waiting for their claim to be decided. Some injured applicants say they face a revolving door of unreachable VISP case managers and fundraise online to survive. Some say their applications were unfairly rejected by doctors they've never spoken to or met. Despite decades of calls for a vaccine injury support program, the federal government cobbled it together during a pandemic. View image in full screen As Global News neared publication, a spokesperson for new Liberal Health Minister Marjorie Michel contacted the news organization and provided this statement: 'These allegations are completely unacceptable. The VISP supports people who are vulnerable and need support. I've asked PHAC to find a solution that ensures a responsible use of funds and that people receive the support they need. All options are on the table.' View image in full screen Minister of Health Marjorie Michel rises during Question Period on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Monday, June 2, 2025. Adrian Wyld / Canadian Press Neither the company nor PHAC were prepared for the surge of claims that arrived, former workers say. Staff were too few and inexperienced to handle them all, other ex-staffers say. One said VISP operations were plagued by many 'bottlenecks.' Others described it as 'chaos.' Oxaro and PHAC declined interview requests. In response to a 15-page list of questions, the company said, 'The VISP is a new and demand-based program with an unknown and fluctuating number of applications and appeals submitted by claimants.' Read the full Oxaro statement HERE. 'The program processes, procedures and staffing were adapted to face the challenges linked to receiving substantially more applications than originally planned,' Oxaro added. 'Oxaro and PHAC have been collaborating closely to evaluate how the program can remain agile to handle the workload on hand while respecting budget constraints.' Advertisement The complexity of the claims filed can also affect processing timelines, Oxaro said. PHAC, meanwhile, said it is reviewing Oxaro's five-year arrangement to administer VISP, which is up for renewal next year. Read the full PHAC statement HERE. The agency also wrote that it is weighing 'concerns raised by claimants and beneficiaries' and factoring in how other countries managed their respective programs. Its goal: learn 'best practices' elsewhere, and ensure the future Canadian program is delivered 'in a fair, efficient and cost-effective manner.' View image in full screen Fair and efficient? Don't talk to Becky Marie Campbell about fair and efficient. Three weeks after her vaccination in April 2021, Campbell, a B.C. school teacher and mother of four, began to feel numbness in her legs while driving down the highway. Soon, she was unable to walk and was subsequently hospitalized. Like several others who became sick after shots, the perfectly healthy and fit Campbell was sent for a psychiatric evaluation when she raised the possibility of a link between her vaccine and illness. View image in full screen British Columbia resident Becky Marie Campbell became gravely ill after her vaccination, but was denied support by VISP even though her own doctor suggested her illness was 'most likely related' to the shot. Images courtesy Becky Campbell A doctor later determined she was of sound mind. As she prepared to leave the hospital after a month-long stay, Campbell said a staff member offered her a second vaccine shot. She cried. She left in a wheelchair, looking emaciated. Campbell then applied to VISP in October 2021. She racked up $20,000 in debt for treatments, medicines, mobility equipment and physiotherapies during her attempted recovery. Campbell's own physician said her shot and illness were 'most likely related.' View image in full screen A partial view of Becky Marie Campbell's Vaccine Injury Support Program application, which was supported by her own physician. Courtesy: Becky Marie Campbell Unidentified VISP physicians, however, rejected her claim on Sept. 6, 2022. They said they found 'no peer-reviewed medical literature' that suggested a 'causal association' between her vaccination and subsequent illness at that time. When she received the news, Campbell burst into tears: 'You didn't call me, you had no appointment with me,' she said, referring to the panel of three unidentified doctors which VISP hired to evaluate her file. 'They weren't part of my case at all, and they decided my fate? That's a little unfair.' 'I believed that living in Canada, I would be taken care of,' Campbell said. 'It wasn't about the money … It was about receiving support from my country. Instead, I felt I was faceless,' Campbell said. She did not appeal. Advertisement View image in full screen Mike Becker of B.C., experienced severe pain, nausea, dizziness and huge blood clots in his right leg after receiving a vaccine in 2021. His right leg is now larger than the left. He is on blood thinners. Images courtesy Mike Becker Mike Becker understands Campbell's anger and resentment. VISP also rejected his application, even though pain and swelling in his leg began immediately following his vaccine shot and got worse every day until he went to the hospital nine days later. His leg sears with burning pain at night from deep vein thrombosis, commonly known as blood clots. The condition caused his right leg to swell like a balloon, four inches larger than the left. He now suffers from dizziness and can no longer work as a carpet and furniture upholstery technician. Becker has had 30 doctor visits since his hospitalization in 2021, and takes blood thinners to avoid death. Becker said VISP denied him support because his hospital hematologist failed to record his blood platelet levels, which would have confirmed causality between his vaccine and clots. The VISP report, which included no physicians' names, acknowledged Becker's illness came shortly after his vaccination, but concluded the shot was 'unlikely' to have caused it. However, VISP added a caveat: should the medical world's understanding of such events evolve and new evidence come to light, 'this case should be revisited and reconsidered.' Unlike Campbell, Becker appealed. In November 2022, he informed his VISP case manager and sent in the necessary appeal paperwork. Nobody then answered his emails for almost two years, he said. Becker would not let it go. Finally, a VISP case manager responded by email. She informed him that his case had been mistakenly closed, according to a copy of the correspondence obtained by Global News. VISP had incorrectly recorded in its computers that there was no appeal, although his case manager knew Becker had appealed and filed the necessary documents. 'I have spoken with my manager and have asked that we fast-track your case so that we can rectify this timelapse of your case,' the new VISP case manager told him in the email. Eleven months later, he says he's still waiting. Becker calls VISP 'a big scam.' 'It's not working to help people injured like me.' Phyisicians saw trouble coming Some experts say things could have turned out differently. For 40 years, physicians and public health officials in Canada had been calling for a federal, no-fault government vaccine injury support program. All other G7 countries, except Canada, had one. View image in full screen Dr. Kumanan Wilson had tried to persuade the federal government to launch a vaccine injury support program in Canada for years but was unsuccessful until the COVID-19 pandemic slammed the country. Trevor Owens / Global News Among those stressing the need for such a program was Dr. Kumanan Wilson, CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of the Bruyère Health Research Institute. His research focuses on immunization and pandemic preparedness. Before COVID-19, Dr. Wilson said he had 'a frustrating set of discussions' with the federal government. Creating a program, he said, 'kept dropping as a priority.' Dr. Wilson said he warned officials about other countries' experiences with the programs. 'You don't want to stand these things up right in the middle of an emergency,' he said, noting it doesn't typically end well. Advertisement Many of VISP's current woes might have been avoided if only it had begun earlier, Dr. Wilson said. Pain and suffering Kimberly MacDougall of Peterborough, Ont., has never spoken publicly about her husband's death until now. Her pain and suffering are easily seen on her face. View image in full screen Kimberly MacDougall lost her husband after he suffered a severe adverse reaction to his COVID-19 vaccine. Patrick Capati / Global News MacDougall's husband, Stephen, then 45, died from myopericarditis post-COVID vaccine, leaving her a young widow of two children, then 9 and 12. She received the maximum death benefit under PHAC guidelines, an amount equal to about three years of Stephen's salary. Still, she believes the sum that PHAC and Oxaro paid out is unjustly low. Stephen expected to work 15 or more years in the luxury car business. He had planned to fund their children's university educations and was a rising star in his world who was being headhunted. View image in full screen A family photo of Kimberly MacDougall, her late husband Stephen MacDougall and their children during happier times. Courtesy of Kimberly MacDougall As a community leader, Stephen had encouraged many people to get vaccinated, but a series of disastrous events followed his immunization: the myopericarditis was a deadly inflammation of both his heart muscle and the lining outside it that claimed him in weeks. MacDougall plunged into grief and trauma. A family friend hired lawyer Lori Stoltz to file MacDougall's VISP claim. View image in full screen The VISP prepared this brochure to explain the process of applying and getting financial support to people injured by COVID-19 vaccines. Global News While VISP brochures advertise that the program will 'continue to support you for as long as needed,' there was a cut-off time for MacDougall and her kids. In addition to the death benefit, the program said it would only pay for enough grief therapy to cover weekly sessions for MacDougall and their children for a little over three months. What's more, MacDougall said, VISP would only pay $100, roughly half the cost of each visit. That's when Stoltz wrote a blistering letter to VISP, saying she was 'stunned' by the program's 'apparent institutional indifference' to the young family's 'suffering and need for financial support.' VISP then conceded it would refund the full cost of each session. But the program dug in — 15 visits only. 'And then my kids are supposed to be fine?' MacDougall said, voice breaking. 'I'm supposed to be fine?' She has been unable to return to work as an elementary school teacher. MacDougall thinks VISP lacks humanity and is 'shameful.' As she mourned her husband's death, she explained, a VISP case manager requested she get copies of his autopsy report and death certificate. 'It got to a point where everything was a battle. I didn't have any fight left in me. And that's kind of where I'm at, that's how I've moved forward,' MacDougall said. 'I don't want to fight anymore.' Advertisement Lengthy delays Toronto attorney Jasmine Daya called for a Vaccine Injury Support Program in November 2020, a month before the official government announcement. Now, she and other attorneys harshly criticize the program. Daya calls it 'a sham.' View image in full screen Lawyer Jasmine Daya wanted the government to create a vaccine injury support program. Now, she thinks what was later created is a frustrating 'sham.' Trevor Owens / Global News She says her numerous emails to VISP often only receive generic responses. 'Sometimes those auto emails say, 'Due to the high volume, we'll get back to you when we can,'' Daya added. 'I want to be able to do my job, which is to help these individuals, and I can't.' Victoria lawyer Umar Sheikh also said VISP is 'incredibly difficult to deal with,' adding its findings are not necessarily reliable or fair to people, and they take too long. A VISP brochure and its staff have told applicants that the average claim can take 12 to 18 months to process. But some have waited far longer. Sheikh is helping several claimants with VISP battles, including Dan Hartman, an Ontario father who lost his 17-year-old son, Sean, in September 2021. The teenager died alone in his bedroom in the middle of the night. View image in full screen The last photo Dan Hartman took with his son Sean before his sudden, unexplained death after his vaccination. Photo courtesy of Dan Hartman Dan Hartman suffered emotional shock, taking time off work. Three physicians from VISP rejected Hartman's first claim in 2022, denying the father's assertion that the vaccine was linked to his son's death. Initially, a post-mortem examination characterized the cause of death as 'unascertained.' The VISP report noted the post-mortem on Sean's body found 'mild R(ight) and L(eft) ventricular enlargement,' which a pathologist described as 'not uncommon in athletic young men.' Sean was a hockey player. But the heart enlargement led Hartman to believe his son had a rare adverse reaction, so he appealed the VISP decision with new evidence in May 2023 and still waits. Fed up, Hartman and Sheikh pressed VISP to explain its lengthy delays. View image in full screen Victoria attorney Umar Sheik is helping several VISP claimants with their battles with the program. Max Trotta / Global News According to an email Global News reviewed, VISP staff replied that they have had trouble finding a forensic pathologist to examine the late Hartman's tissues. Revisiting the case may confirm or disprove any causal link between the teen's vaccination and his death. In the meantime, medical knowledge of adverse reactions has increased. Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration told vaccine makers to expand warning labels on COVID-19 vaccines that would spell out the risks of possible heart injuries that afflict males aged 17-26, like Sean Hartman. Advertisement Health Canada issued a similar warning for 'younger male adults and adolescents' in June 2021. Still, Hartman waits. Kayla's 'nightmare' Kayla Pollock waits, too. After first applying in 2022, Pollock's VISP application remains stuck in 'intake.' Her injuries have not been assessed, she says. She uses a wheelchair because of her transverse myelitis, a condition that involves swelling of her spinal cord and the loss of lower body functions. Medical research has documented hundreds of cases of transverse myelitis following COVID vaccination. As a result of her illness, Kayla is no longer able to work. View image in full screen Kayla Pollock says she suffered a vaccine injury that damaged her spine. She mailed her VISP application in July 2022 and was told it was lost. She resubmitted her claim and said her case remains in 'intake' three years later. Dealing with VISP has been 'hell,' and a 'nightmare,' she says. Trevor Owens / Global News She used to be a kindergarten assistant. Now, she receives Ontario disability support. She lost her townhome. Her son's father is now his primary caregiver, and she sees their boy only on alternating weekends. Pollock said things are so bleak for her that she requires personal support workers and has been offered Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID). In the absence of VISP support, she has been raising money online. 'Unfortunately, it costs me more to be alive than if I were dead,' Pollock says. After waiting for three years, she no longer believes VISP will ever compensate her. Approved... yet still outraged Former pilot and realtor Ross Wightman understands the frustration, anger and desperation of people dealing with the support program. VISP accepted his injury claims, but Wightman remains enraged. He says he often cannot reach anyone at VISP and has had 10 case managers work on his file. Ross Wightman's VISP application was approved. He says he regularly waits months for VISP medical expense refunds. The program is an unfathomable 'dumpster fire,' he says. Courtesy Nicole Wightman Wightman, who lives near Kelowna, B.C., was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome after his vaccination and applied to VISP in 2021. He received $270,000 in indemnities in 2022, becoming one of the first people to be approved. Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that has been linked to COVID-19 vaccinations. The condition causes sudden numbness and muscle weakness when the immune system attacks peripheral nerves. No longer able to work, Wightman awaits a second reassessment of his injuries. His wife left her job to care for him and their two young children full-time. After the one-time injury award, he waited 20 additional months to be approved for a VISP income replacement benefit in 2023. That benefit is capped at $90,000 a year — the maximum for all claimants — though he earned far more as a realtor and former pilot. Advertisement Asked about VISP, he likens it to a 'dumpster fire.' 'I don't know how it could be done worse,' added Wightman. 'There have been times where I have thought about not continuing with some of my therapies just because I'm tired of incurring expenses and eating expenses for such a long time.' Instead, he says the slow pace of financial support forced him, for a time, to turn to the 'bank of family.' Wightman stated at one point that $12,000 in VISP funds were deposited into his bank account, but it took him more than 10 weeks to confirm what that refund was supposed to cover. VISP officials also kept him on tenterhooks for months, waiting for $25,000 in other reimbursements, he added. 'Such poor communication and record-keeping undermine trust in the program and create additional stress for those who depend on it,' added Mounting paperwork, mounting debt As a social worker living in Manitoba, Shannon Dupont thought she knew how to help vulnerable people through a crisis. But she, herself, is now lost and alone, battling VISP. Prior to her vaccine injuries, which occurred after each of her three injections, she had two jobs and made an average of $104,000 a year. View image in full screen Shannon Dupont, of Manitoba, displays all the Vaccine Injury Support Program documents, emails and forms she's gathered. Melissa Ridgen / Global News She says her employer mandated that she be vaccinated. But Dupont suffered a stroke, Bell's palsy, lost half her field of vision in her left eye and dexterity in her hands. She developed an autoimmune disorder that gave her hives. In September 2022, the provincial health authority recommended that Dupont receive no further COVID-19 vaccines. She can no longer work. In her dealings with VISP since 2021, Dupont says she has had nine case managers whose letters, emails and forms cover her entire dining room table. View image in full screen VISP told claimants like Shannon Dupont by email that they would contact them 'quarterly.' Two years after she applied, VISP approved her for a one-time $24,294 injury payout. However, she believes VISP 'missed a significant amount of my injury.' She has since applied for reassessment four times and sought refunds for medical expenses. Many vaccine-injured people have also asked for their cases to be reconsidered. VISP now owes her $180,000, Dupont alleges. As she waited, Dupont says she cashed in her investments and lived on credit cards. In March, she finally started receiving a VISP income replacement benefit of $3,700 monthly, but her battles continue due to confusion between VISP and her health insurer. In December, VISP announced the government program would now be her first payor, reversing its initial position. She says that the insurer now wants her to repay $86,000 — money she says VISP has not paid her.


Cision Canada
16 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Apotex receives Health Canada approval for Aflivu™, a biosimilar to Eylea®, available in pre-filled syringe and vial formats
TORONTO, July 2, 2025 /CNW/ - Apotex Inc. ("Apotex" or the "Company"), the Canadian-based global health company, today announced that Health Canada has approved Aflivu™ (aflibercept), a biosimilar to Eylea®, indicated for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration, macular edema secondary to central or branch retinal vein occlusion, treatment of diabetic macular edema, and treatment of myopic choroidal neovascularization. This approval marks a key milestone for Apotex, introducing its first ophthalmic biosimilar and its fourth biosimilar since 2016, and reflecting the Company's commitment to expand its biologics portfolio and execution of its Journey of Health strategy. "With Aflivu, we're expanding affordable treatment options for Canadians affected by retinal diseases," said Raymond Shelley, President, Apotex Canada. "Apotex continues to deliver innovative, patient-focused solutions across our growing portfolio of brands, biosimilars, generics and consumer health products." "The approval of Aflivu represents a positive advancement in ophthalmic care," said Dr. Bernard R. Hurley, BSc, MD, FRCSC, Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa Eye Institute. "Biosimilars, supported by clinicians, regulators, and manufacturers, have the potential to transform the treatment landscape for retinal diseases, preserving vision and providing quality, cost-effective care for countless Canadians." "In clinical practice, having access to a broader range of therapeutic options can empower physicians to tailor care to individual patients' needs," said Dr. Ghassan Cordahi, MD, FACS, Assistant Clinical Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Université de Montréal. "Aflibercept has been a cornerstone in managing retinal diseases, and the introduction of Aflivu offers a more affordable alternative without compromising quality." Aflivu joins Apotex's successful biosimilar portfolio, which includes Grastofil® (filgrastim), Lapelga® (pegfilgrastim), and Bambevi® (bevacizumab). About Apotex Apotex is a Canadian-based global health company. We improve everyday access to affordable, innovative medicines and health products for millions of people around the world, with a broad portfolio of generic, biosimilar, and innovative branded pharmaceuticals, and consumer health products. Headquartered in Toronto, with regional offices globally, including in the United States, Mexico, and India, we are the largest Canadian-based pharmaceutical company and a health partner of choice for the Americas for pharmaceutical licensing and product acquisitions.


Cision Canada
16 hours ago
- Cision Canada
CIBC Foundation and TELUS Friendly Future Foundation announce landmark $2 million partnership
New partnership strengthens commitment to nationwide educational access, creating more pathways for students facing barriers TORONTO, July 2, 2025 /CNW/ - The CIBC Foundation and the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation announced a transformative $2 million partnership to launch the TELUS Momentum Student Bursary, powered by CIBC Foundation. With each Foundation contributing $1 million, this multi-year partnership will fuel momentum for up to 500 young changemakers from the Black community, helping them accelerate their ambitions and impact across the globe. "This innovative partnership unites two leading Canadian Foundations with a shared vision to expand educational and leadership opportunities for our youth," said Darren Entwistle, President and CEO, TELUS. "Today's landmark funding commitment by the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation and CIBC Foundation will enable us to further expand our TELUS Student Bursary program, equipping the next generation of leaders with the essential tools to realize their dream of post-secondary education while also effecting meaningful change within their communities. Together, we are paving the way for a more inclusive and dynamic workforce in Canada, and creating a friendlier future for all Canadians." "The launch of the TELUS Momentum Student Bursary, powered by CIBC Foundation is a testament to both Foundations' continued efforts in ensuring that our next generation of leaders have access to a brighter, more inclusive future," said Victor Dodig, President and CEO, CIBC. "The bursary will generate momentum for their ambitions to flourish and help them address some of society's most pressing issues. Together, this new partnership helps us do even more to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to realize their ambitions." The TELUS Momentum Student Bursary, powered by CIBC Foundation, will unlock access to education and career pathways for young Black leaders, whose talents and community leadership are critical for helping solve pressing social issues. Bursaries are awarded to students who are facing financial barriers and are committed to making a difference in their communities. Recipients will also benefit from comprehensive support, including TELUS' Mobility for Good and Internet for Good programs, access to the CIBC Best Student Life Bundle and CIBC Smart Planner, which can help create healthier financial habits, free mental health support from TELUS Health, as well as career learning opportunities enabled by TELUS. "The support from CIBC Foundation and TELUS Friendly Future Foundation has given me the opportunity to focus on my studies and get involved in community work that I'm passionate about," said Kay Palmer, recipient of the TELUS Momentum Student Bursary, powered by CIBC Foundation. "My dream is to work in forensic psychology, and this support is helping me become the change I want to see. Together, we'll keep this momentum going and build a more inclusive tomorrow." Since the launch of the TELUS Student Bursary in 2023, the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation has already provided bursaries to more than 1000 students across nine provinces and 93 different schools, with more than 50 percent awarded to first-generation post-secondary students. With applications already received for the 2025/26 academic year, this partnership with CIBC Foundation will enable more students to receive bursary support starting Fall 2025. For more information about the TELUS Student Bursary program and how you can support the next generation of Canadian leaders, visit About CIBC Foundation CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 14 million personal banking, business, public sector and institutional clients. The CIBC Foundation serves our commitment to creating a world without limits to ambition by championing inclusive communities, investing in financial education and supporting cancer research, treatment, education and support programs through corporate donations and community partnerships. Learn more about our community impact. Ongoing news releases and more information about CIBC can be found at About TELUS Friendly Future Foundation TELUS Friendly Future Foundation is a Canadian registered charity that believes all youth, regardless of circumstance, deserve an equal opportunity to reach their full potential. By funding more than 500 charities each year that provide education and health programs, many enabled by technology, along with providing educational bursaries, TELUS Friendly Future Foundation is helping youth across Canada build skills, confidence and feel a sense of belonging. In 2024 alone, we provided more than $11 million in grants to 500+ charitable programs across Canada, and over $2 million in bursaries to 500+ post-secondary students in financial need who are committed to making a difference in their communities. About TELUS TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a world-leading communications technology company operating in more than 45 countries and generating over $20 billion in annual revenue with more than 20 million customer connections through our advanced suite of broadband services for consumers, businesses and the public sector. We are committed to leveraging our technology to enable remarkable human outcomes. TELUS is passionate about putting our customers and communities first, leading the way globally in client service excellence and social capitalism. Our TELUS Health business is enhancing more than 150 million lives across 200 countries and territories through innovative preventive medicine and well-being technologies. Our TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods business utilizes digital technologies and data insights to optimize the connection between producers and consumers. Guided by our enduring 'give where we live' philosophy, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed $1.8 billion in cash, in-kind contributions, time and programs including 2.4 million days of service since 2000, earning us the distinction of the world's most giving company. For more information, visit or follow @TELUSNews on X and @Darren_Entwistle on Instagram. For media inquiries, please contact: Saara Rahikka TELUS Public Relations [email protected] SOURCE TELUS Friendly Future Foundation