SASKATOON — A couple from the city has made a $1 million donation to the University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, funding that will further advance its ground-breaking research on infectious diseases including COVID-19.
Businessman Malcolm Legett and his wife Marilyn know VIDO’s importance to the local community and they both believe the money will help establish the research organization as the country’s Centre for Pandemic Research.
Malcolm is the co-founder of NSC Minerals, a Saskatoon-based provider of salt for de-icing, industrial and agricultural applications, which was started in 1988 and serves Western Canada and the western United States.
In May 2014, Malcolm stepped down as president and CEO. He was executive chair of the board of NSC Minerals until the fall of 2016, when he retired. Marilyn is a former teacher for Saskatoon Public Schools.
The Legetts know their contribution will go a long way to helping others, not just locally, but wherever vaccines are needed around the world. The far-reaching global impact of the research conducted at VIDO caught the Leggetts’ attention.
“I think this is far bigger than one vaccine. This is whole different category on its own. It’s got the potential to be so rewarding. I don’t really think we can visualize what the potential is for something like VIDO,” said Malcolm
USask president Peter Stoicheff and VIDO director and chief executive officer Dr. Volker Gerdts were both thankful for the Legetts’ generous contribution.
“The Leggetts’ gift is a testament to the life-changing research being conducted on our campus that will undoubtedly enhance the lives of people around the world,” said Stoicheff, who added that the Leggetts’ commitment to VIDO highlights the importance of the research on campus to the community at large.
“We greatly appreciate this extraordinary donation from Marilyn and Malcolm. Knowing we have this level of support from leaders in our community is critical to our organization and our vision for the future,” said Gerdts.
With the Leggetts' contribution, other private donors, and all levels of government, Canada’s Centre for Pandemic Research will soon be established at VIDO. This expansion to VIDO’s capacity is expected to be completed over the next three years.
