The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation is proud to announce a donation of $1.4M by the Trottier Family Foundation in support of CanCOVID, a country-wide, rapid-response network to facilitate coronavirus research, collaboration, and communication. This generous donation leverages the investment of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada as well as Health Canada, and will help coordinate scientific evidence needed in the fight against COVID.

The science around COVID-19 is complex, and rapidly evolving. There is a vital need to coordinate the efforts of experts and researchers across the country, as well as develop new ways to put reliable information into the hands of decision makers, community leaders, and the general public. CanCOVID, mandated by  the Office of the Chief Science Advisor of Canada, was launched to meet these needs.

In addition to providing an online platform to coordinate scientific investigation, the CanCOVID community’s goals include communicating a strong base of evidence to help Canada navigate its way out of the COVID crisis. With support from the Trottier Family Foundation, CanCOVID researchers will accelerate their efforts to; (1) enhance protective measures for at-risk communities, (2) mitigate collateral effects on mental health and social well-being, (3) foster positive attitudes towards vaccination, and (4) reduce inter-community conflicts associated with the pandemic.

A portion of the Trottier Family Foundation’s gift will fund CoVivre, an outreach initiative under CanCOVID aimed at helping vulnerable communities access health and support resources during the global pandemic. Led by psychiatrist Dr. Cécile Rousseau, family physician and researcher Dr. Alexandra de Pokomandy and CanCOVID co-founder Dr. Sarah Gallagher, the initiative will encourage community organizations to lead the partnership to determine priorities, then CoVivre will work with them to deliver appropriate support.