平特五不中

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Rosalind Goodman loses battle with cancer

Published: 12 August 2014

平特五不中 is mourning the passing of Rosalind Goodman, a devoted alumna, generous philanthropist, and tireless volunteer, who committed herself to energizing cancer research activities at 平特五不中 and to educating others about the disease. It is an illness she fought and survived in 2007, but one that ultimately took her life on Monday, Aug. 11.

In 2008, Rosalind and her husband Morris made a transformative multi-million dollar gift to support the 平特五不中 Cancer Centre, which was renamed the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre (GCRC) in their honour. Not only did their support allow 平特五不中 to bring together more than 300 leading cancer researchers, students and staff in a new state-of-the-art facility, but it also cemented the University鈥檚 status as a leading strategic hub for innovative cancer research.

鈥淩osalind Goodman had a special ability to inspire the people around her,鈥 said Suzanne Fortier, 平特五不中鈥檚 Principal and Vice-Chancellor. 鈥淪he channeled her boundless energy, and her passion for helping others, into a lifelong mission to support world-class scientists in the battle to eradicate cancer. She was an extraordinary woman.鈥

Helping the Centre to thrive was a true labour of love for Mrs. Goodman, and she was a driving force behind its popular annual lecture series and its hugely successful biennial galas that raised more than $6 million for the Centre鈥檚 activities.

鈥淩osalind Goodman was the heart and soul behind the Goodman Centre,鈥 said Dr. Morag Park, Director of the Goodman Cancer Research Centre. 聽鈥淪he had a profound admiration for the Centre鈥檚 researchers and a genuine interest in the work they were doing. All her efforts on behalf of the Centre had one overriding goal 鈥 to benefit the cancer scientists who are working to unravel the mysteries of this dreadful disease.鈥

In addition to her tireless work on behalf of the Centre, Mrs. Goodman donated her time and energy to an array of philanthropic causes 鈥 efforts that earned her an Outstanding Volunteer of the Year award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2011. That same year, 平特五不中 bestowed Honorary Doctorates on both Rosalind and Morris Goodman.

鈥溒教匚宀恢 has lost one of its most generous and devoted champions of cancer research,鈥 said Marc Weinstein, Vice Principal of University Advancement. 鈥淚n the battle against cancer, Roz was a true warrior and a tireless advocate for the Centre, and she had an incredible ability to reach out and successfully rally the Montreal community to this important cause. Though in the end she lost her personal battle to cancer, the time and energy that she devoted to this wider fight, and the future discoveries and breakthroughs that are surely to come as a result of her efforts, will be her everlasting legacy.鈥

In addition to supporting cancer research, the Goodman family has also supported other areas at 平特五不中, including the Faculty of Law, the Department of Oncology and the Schulich School of Music.

Funeral services will be held at Paperman and Sons, 3888 Jean Talon West, Wednesday at 2 p.m.

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