A plaque was recently unveiled in the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization atrium to honour long-time supporters, Ellen and Frank Remai. (l to r: Cheryl Hamelin (VP University Relations, USask), Doug Richardson, KC (Special Advisor to VIDO), Volker Gerdts (Director and CEO, VIDO), Dr. Ellen Remai (Donor and Friend of VIDO), Susan Lamb (Chair, VIDO-InterVac Community Liaison Committee), Paul Hodgson (Director of Operations and Strategic Partnerships, VIDO)) Photo: Submitted
A plaque was recently unveiled in the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization atrium to honour long-time supporters, Ellen and Frank Remai. (l to r: Cheryl Hamelin (VP University Relations, USask), Doug Richardson, KC (Special Advisor to VIDO), Volker Gerdts (Director and CEO, VIDO), Dr. Ellen Remai (Donor and Friend of VIDO), Susan Lamb (Chair, VIDO-InterVac Community Liaison Committee), Paul Hodgson (Director of Operations and Strategic Partnerships, VIDO). (Photo: Submitted)

Friends of VIDO receives $1 million from celebrated Saskatoon philanthropist

A generous donation of $1 million from Ellen Remai, through the Frank and Ellen Remai Foundation, will support the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), a world-class research facility at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), with an aim to stop emerging infectious diseases and future pandemics.

By Sarah Trefiak

The gift to the Friends of VIDO fund will help address VIDO's greatest needs including facility enhancements, new equipment, scientific training or the establishment of research chairs and fellowship opportunities. 

In 1963, Dr. Ellen Remai (LLD’23) and her late husband Frank founded Remai Ventures Inc., an influential and successful development and real estate company. In 1992, they created the Frank and Ellen Remai Foundation which has since carried out a wide variety of philanthropic efforts, with particular focus on supporting performing and visual arts, and contributing to education, women’s issues, and social and community initiatives. 

Remai, who received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from USask in 2023, said she is proud to support the invaluable work being done at VIDO.

“I care deeply about our community and knowing that VIDO is right here in Saskatoon and leading this world-class research makes me very proud,” said Remai. “We have all seen the significant impact infectious diseases can have, not only in our own community, but around the world. I believe each of us can play a role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our communities, and supporting the work at VIDO is one way to do that.”

USask President Peter Stoicheff said the gift builds upon Remai’s strong legacy of community building in this province.

“We are very fortunate to receive this significant gift from Ellen Remai, who is a tremendous and visionary community supporter,” said Stoicheff. “Mrs. Remai’s gift speaks volumes about the potential benefits and impact of VIDO’s research, not only here in Saskatoon, but around the globe.”

That global impact includes a contract awarded to VIDO by the United States’ National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Through this work, VIDO’s Vaccine Development Centre will play an important role in providing services that will help a wide variety of researchers obtain the critical data needed to advance products, partnerships, and complete studies needed to enter clinical trials.

As part of USask, VIDO’s expertise, infrastructure, and history put the organization at the forefront of ground-breaking vaccine research during the COVID-19 pandemic and made it a valuable resource and source of pride for Canada.

Remai’s gift will support the critical research pillar of USask’s Be What the World Needs campaign and help VIDO achieve its mission of becoming Canada’s Centre for Pandemic Research.