“It was quite a shock at first, but as I came to terms with living with Parkinson’s, I soon understood the magnitude of the disease, which affects so many people.”
Raymond and Murielle, who have three children and six grandchildren, hope today’s discoveries will make a difference for future generations.
All in the family
For many years, Raymond ran Ed Brunet et Associé, a construction company based in Gatineau. After a 30-year career as a lawyer with the federal government, Murielle joined the family business to support Raymond as he prepared to hand it off before retiring.
Today, Sophie and Sébastien, two of their three children, are the fifth generation to lead the company, which is celebrating more than 125 years of history this year. Their third child, Ariane, followed in her mother’s footsteps and now practises law in British Columbia.
“We are very proud to see our children continue our adventure, whether by carrying on the business, practising law or investing in their communities,” says Murielle.
The family’s deeply rooted culture of transmission to the next generation has also shaped their attitude to philanthropy.
“We hope that our support will help improve the futures of all those who are, or who will be, living with Parkinson’s, and perhaps one day help cure or even prevent the disease,” Raymond says.
“We hope that our support will help improve the futures of all those who are, or who will be, living with Parkinson’s, and perhaps one day help cure or even prevent the disease.”
Raymond Brunet and Murielle Brazeau
Ties that go back to childhood
Raymond and Murielle also have long-standing connections to the University of Ottawa.
The pair met there when they were students: Raymond studied civil engineering and then business administration, while Murielle graduated with a law degree. Their meeting forged a life together: they have been married for over 40 years now.
But for Murielle, the bond with the University goes back ever further. “When we were little, my parents would take us for walks on the University of Ottawa campus. They’d say, ‘When you grow up, you’ll be studying here.’ My path had already been mapped out!”
In Raymond’s case, this bond with the University became work-related over the years, with his company landing construction contracts on campus, including one at Roger Guindon Hall, home to the Faculty of Medicine. And today, Raymond is helping to fund the excellence of the researchers who work there.
Supporting research
During their quest to better understand the disease, Raymond and Murielle decided to support the Parkinson Research Consortium at the University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, a multidisciplinary hub that brings together researchers and clinicians to advance knowledge and find new approaches to treatment.
Raymond and Murielle see contributing to such research as a way of doing something tangible. “The more people choose to give to this cause, the sooner we’ll see real progress.”
Philanthropy plays an essential role in the advancement of research. As explained by Dr. Michael Schlossmacher, a neurologist at The Ottawa Hospital and co-director of the Parkinson Research Consortium at the University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, these contributions make it possible to explore new scientific avenues, for example in emerging areas of Parkinson’s research.
“Right now, researchers are really interested in understanding what causes people with Parkinson’s to lose their sense of smell. Our interdisciplinary team is at the forefront of this field, making discoveries that could one day impact diagnosis, prevention and possibly patient care,” Schlossmacher explains.
Donating to advance the cause
The couple sees their gesture as part of a simple but profound philosophy of life.
“We’ve always been involved in our community in different ways, and we are staunch supporters of the idea that when you believe in a cause, nothing is more rewarding than contributing to it in some way, depending on your personal means and abilities,” Raymond says.
Like Raymond and Murielle, you can help advance research and support scientists who are working to better understand Parkinson’s disease by supporting the Parkinson Research Consortium.
Your generosity helps fund innovative projects, support the next generation of researchers, and accelerate discoveries that could improve the lives of patients and their families.