Moncton, September 27, 2024 – A posthumous tribute was paid Thursday evening to David and Nancy Holt for their community involvement and support of cancer research. Around 100 guests gathered to celebrate the launch of the David and Nancy Holt Cancer Research Program, created with the generous bequest of the Holt family.
With this gift, it was the Holts’ sincere wish to advance leading edge health research and build stronger ties between the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre and The Moncton Hospital, researchers and clinicians.
After Nancy’s untimely passing in 2020 due to cancer, David expressed interest in growing his support for cancer research in the field of precision medicine at the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute (ACRI).
“David and Nancy Holt's belief in community and philanthropy has left a lasting impact,” explained Dr. Rodney Ouellette, founder and lead researcher of the ACRI. “They saw their gift as an investment in a future where cancer is no longer insurmountable. Their legacy fuels our drive toward breakthrough innovations, offering renewed hope to all cancer patients. Thanks to their generous support, we’ve advanced cutting-edge research and are making strides in delivering more tailored solutions to improve patient outcomes,” Dr. Ouellette added.
According to Bill Whalen, dear friend of the couple, David and Nancy had a strong desire to see even greater collaboration between our two hospitals and the ACRI. “They designated part of their estate to establish an endowment to support a research partnership between the hospitals and the Institute. This initiative, aimed at benefiting the community they were proud to call home, reflects their enduring commitment to advancing cancer research,” added Mr. Whalen.
For James Lockyer, Chair of the CHU Dumont Foundation Board of Directors, the philanthropic spirit of David and Nancy Holt is quite transformative. “Their support has created countless opportunities for innovative cancer research that will benefit patients and families, not only today, but for generations to come,” said Mr. Lockyer. “Thanks to their vision and generosity, we continue to see revolutionary advances in cancer care right here in Greater Moncton. This is the power of philanthropy, and this is the legacy that David and Nancy have built,” concluded the Chair.
Click here for details on the event and the Cancer Research Program.
PHOTO
Launch of a Cancer Research Program in honor of David and Nancy Holt
A posthumous tribute was paid Thursday evening to David and Nancy Holt for their community involvement and support of cancer research. Around 100 guests gathered to celebrate the launch of the David and Nancy Holt Cancer Research Program, created with the generous bequest of the Holt family. From left to right: James Lockyer, Chair of the CHU Dumont Foundation Board of Directors; Bill Whalen, friend of the couple; Julia Holt, David’s sister; Dr. Rodney Ouellette, founder and lead researcher of the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute (ACRI); Line and Sean Hughes (David’s nephew); Larry Nelson, friend of the couple; and Gilles Allain, CEO of the CHU Dumont Foundation.
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Media requests: Johanne Lise Landry
Director of Communications
CHU Dumont Foundation
506 543-5911
Johannelise.landry2@fondationdumont.ca