Philanthropy
“Thanks to HEROES, research in genetic diseases is speeding up, whatever the obstacles, to the benefit of sick children and their families. The researchers and physicians at the Institut Imagine are committedly and skillfully practicing the best science of today in order to invent the best medicine for tomorrow.”
— Stanislas Lyonnet, President of the Institut Imagine & Kamel Mennour, President and Founder of Mennour
HEROES for Imagine
Launched in 2015 by Kamel Mennour, HEROES for Imagine is a fundraising auction for the benefit of Institut Imagine, a European leader in research, care and teaching related to genetic diseases.
Every two years, in autumn, an exceptional dinner is held in the heart of the Institut Imagine, located on the campus of the Hôpital Necker-Enfants malades AP-HP, in Paris.
This initiative rests on the commitment of gallery owner Kamel Mennour, with the support of the auction house Christie’s and Galerie kreo, and the participation of artists, designers and celebrities such as Gad Elmaleh, who are donating their work or their time to offer artworks and exceptional moments for sale.
On average, around forty lots are auctioned off during this unique evening, attended by over three hundred guest donors.
Over five editions, the cumulative amount contributed by the HEROES for Imagine initiative has reached more than €32 million (€3 million in 2015; €4,5 million in 2016; €7,2 million in 2018; €8,2 million in 2022, €10 million in 2024) which have been invested in strategic projects (development of artificial intelligence and data mining) and technology platforms, such as a DNA sequencer for the diagnosis of new genetic diseases.
