April 25
2025
The generosity of the Lise and Giuseppe Racanelli Foundation propels neuroscience at the Douglas Research Centre with major funding for the Brain Bank and the new Centre for Multi-scale Integrative Neuroscience.
The Douglas Foundation proudly announces an exceptional $2 million donation from the Lise and Giuseppe Racanelli Foundation. This transformative funding will support the renowned Douglas Brain Bank and the new Centre for Multi-scale Integrative Neuroscience, strengthening our ability to unravel the mysteries of the human brain.
This historic contribution not only ensures the sustainability of essential research infrastructure but also accelerates the development of innovative treatments for mental disorders affecting millions of Quebecers and Canadians.
Véronique Racanelli, President of the Lise and Giuseppe Racanelli Foundation, passionately expresses their vision: “We have always believed in the importance of giving back and have chosen to prioritize health, both physical and mental, particularly its accessibility. The Douglas Foundation, with its essential work in mental health research, is an inspiring example of what can be accomplished through innovation and collaboration. We hope our contribution will support the mission of the Douglas Brain Bank and encourage researchers to make decisive advances in understanding the brain and psychiatric disorders.”
The Douglas Brain Bank, a true scientific treasure, distributes over 1,000 brain tissue samples annually to international researchers. These valuable resources have already contributed to major advances in understanding suicide and Alzheimer’s disease.
The new Douglas Centre for Multi-scale Integrative Neuroscience, led by Dr. Mallar Chakravarty, combines cutting-edge technologies and multidisciplinary approaches to develop predictive algorithms and personalized treatments for mental disorders.
Laura Fish, President of the Douglas Foundation, emphasizes: “We are deeply grateful for the commitment of the Lise and Giuseppe Racanelli Foundation. Their donation will not only strengthen the operations of the Douglas Brain Bank and the Douglas Centre for Integrative Multi-Scale Neuroscience but will also propel crucial discoveries that will change the lives of millions of people. Thanks to this support, we can continue to dream of a world where healing is possible and build hope for all those whose lives have been affected by mental illness.”
A recognition space has been inaugurated at the entrance of the Douglas Brain Bank to honor the Lise and Giuseppe Racanelli Foundation, testifying to the lasting impact of their generosity.
Together, we can transform the future of mental health. The generosity of the Racanelli Foundation inspires us all to contribute in our own way. Your donation, regardless of the amount, directly supports researchers and clinicians who work tirelessly to understand and treat mental illness.
The generosity of the Lise and Giuseppe Racanelli Foundation propels neuroscience at the Douglas Research Centre.
The 10th edition of Open Minds has just broken all records by raising an unprecedented $740,000 for mental health research and care at the Douglas Institute. This amount represents the largest sum ever collected in the history of this flagship event dedicated to mental health in Quebec.
The highly anticipated Douglas Show 2025 broke fundraising records this year, generating an impressive $153,000 for mental health initiatives at the Douglas Foundation. The sold-out event at Club Soda featured some of Quebec’s best comedians uniting for this important cause.