Moncton, February 17, 2026 – Under the theme “For the love of our children” and sold out for the first time in its history, the CHU Dumont Foundation's 31st Valentine's Day Gala took place last Saturday. Thanks to the 400 guests in attendance, as well as the evening's partners and sponsors, the Foundation raised a total of $194,000.
Entirely dedicated to pediatrics, this sum will be used to purchase a SIM NEWB simulator, which represents a major strategic lever for the Mother-Child/Youth Program and for the entire interdisciplinary team at Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre.
This high-fidelity neonatal simulator realistically replicates critical and common clinical situations encountered at birth and during the neonatal period, including respiratory distress, neonatal resuscitation, hypoglycemia, sepsis, thermoregulation, transition to extrauterine life, and safe newborn care.
In keeping with the theme of the Gala, young artists performed throughout the evening to the admiration of the guests. Juliette Doolaeghe (a 14-year-old singer), Alicia Montreuil (a 12-year-old ballerina), Louis and Olivier Émond (singers, aged 11 and 14 respectively), as well as Monique Poirier (well-known artist and general and artistic director of Le Pays de la Sagouine) and members of the Jeunes chanteurs d'Acadie choir also dazzled the crowd with their immense talent. The musical direction for the evening was provided by the excellent multi-instrumentalist François Émond.
Since its inception, the Valentine's Day Gala has raised over $2.4 million. Gilles Allain, CEO of the CHU Dumont Foundation, is grateful for the support of the public and business community, who year after year actively contribute to the success of the Foundation's initiatives.
" It is the unconditional commitment of the community and our partners that enables us to carry out our mission. The Valentine's Day Gala is no exception. The extreme generosity shown by our partners, sponsors, and participants will enable us to support the pediatric sector and thus contribute to improving health care for our youth in New Brunswick," said Mr. Allain.
Save the date for next year’s Gala: February 13, 2027!
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Information and interview requests:
Johanne Lise Landry, director of communications at the CHU Dumont Foundation, 506-543-5911 or johannelise.landry2@fondationdumont.ca
In the photo, from left to right: Gilles Allain, CEO of the CHU Dumont Foundation; James Lockyer, Chair of the Foundation's Board of Directors; Kamylle Frenette, Master of Ceremonies; Dr. France Desrosiers, CEO of Vitalité Health Network; Chantalle Arsenault, Senior Director of the Mother-Child Program at CHU Dumont; and Marc Lanteigne, Chair of the Organizing Committee and auctioneer for the evening.