Nov. 17, 2025
A family legacy: Unlocking better bone and joint treatments
Maurice McCaig could expertly drive commercial trucks and Formula One race cars, and pilot helicopters.
鈥淗e loved anything with an engine in it,鈥 says his nephew, Jeff McCaig.
But Maurice himself didn鈥檛 make a lot of noise. He was genial, with the ability to build rapport with anyone, but he preferred to just be himself.
鈥淗e was quiet, modest,鈥 says Jeff. 鈥淗e did a lot of very generous and charitable things without recognition, which was his preference.鈥
Under the radar, Maurice was still a difference maker. Among his many donations were significant contributions to the , established in 1992 by his brother, J.R. (Bud) McCaig, Hon. LLD鈥98, at what is now the 荔枝视频鈥檚 (CSM).
Now, a $5-million legacy gift from Maurice, who died on Sept. 5, 2024, endows the Launch and Accelerate Fund at the McCaig Institute, ensuring scientific excellence for years to come. Interest from the endowment will support the fund with $2.5 million over the next decade.
Cumming School of Medicine Dean Todd Anderson.
Cumming School of Medicine
鈥淲e are extremely grateful to Maurice and his family for their unwavering support,鈥 says Dr. Todd Anderson, MD鈥85, dean of the CSM.
鈥淭his is an opportunity for us to honour his legacy while we continue to revolutionize bone and joint-health research.
"Maurice鈥檚 generosity will enable us to improve the care and outcomes of patients in Alberta 鈥 and beyond. This gift lays the groundwork for future success.鈥
Solving complex bone and joint problems
The fund will be used to empower next-generation researchers, who are crucial to driving innovation and pushing the boundaries to enable new discoveries.
Nurturing future leaders is critical, says Dr. Cheryl Barnabe, MD, MSc鈥11, and the Launch and Accelerate Fund will support early career researchers and trainees in musculoskeletal health, while also awarding catalyst grants to help McCaig researchers conduct transdisciplinary and collaborative research projects.
鈥淎 variety of approaches, skills, perspectives and disciplines are needed to solve complex problems,鈥 says Barnabe, director of the McCaig Institute since January 2024.
鈥淢cCaig Institute researchers have a longstanding commitment to working in teams with multiple domains of expertise represented, with the ultimate goal of preserving mobility and physical function.鈥
McCaig Institute Director Cheryl Barnabe.
McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health
After the McCaig Institute was founded, more than 30 years ago, Maurice began to donate to a range of CSM initiatives, and in his later years became more engaged in what the Institute was doing.
鈥淗e was very interested in what my dad started,鈥 says Jeff, a member of the McCaig Institute鈥檚 Strategic Advisory Board, a committee chaired by his wife, Marilyn, BEd鈥75.
With the fund鈥檚 backing, the institute is also able to attract principal investigators in high-priority areas such as osteoarthritis, rheumatology, metabolic bone diseases, cancers of bone and soft tissues, and spine health.
鈥淲e want to be able to grow and diversify 鈥 recruiting people who bring new knowledge and new technology expertise to the institute. Maurice鈥檚 gift helps us recruit the best talent out there,鈥 says Barnabe.
鈥淲ithout this support, we wouldn鈥檛 be able to grow.鈥
Research into impact
The funding will also enhance operational capabilities at the McCaig Institute, which is home to two world-class facilities 鈥 the , a premier musculoskeletal research imaging centre in Canada; and the , which hosts critical equipment for the testing of bone and joint integrity.
Supporting these cutting-edge resources means breakthroughs will continue to be transformed into real-world impact.
鈥淭hrough this initiative and other research institutes at the CSM, U荔枝视频 has created a space for top researchers from around the world to pursue excellence in their fields of investigation,鈥 says Jeff.
The fruits of their work will improve health care and outcomes for future generations of Albertans
Adds Barnabe: 鈥淭he McCaigs are an incredible family; they鈥檝e been so committed to Bud鈥檚 vision. (Bud) passed away 20 years ago, yet they鈥檙e still strongly behind the work that we鈥檙e doing and are very engaged in the activities at the institute, making sure we鈥檙e on the right course.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e amazing champions for bone and joint health.鈥
Over the years, Maurice and his wife, Nicole, contributed more than $7 million to U荔枝视频, including the legacy gift.
鈥淭his infusion helps set us up for the next decade or more,鈥 says Barnabe.
鈥淲e鈥檙e incredibly fortunate to have the generosity of Maurice, as well as the rest of the McCaig family.鈥
Just as a single spark can ignite a roaring flame, philanthropy is the catalyst that starts something special at the 荔枝视频. about the difference we鈥檙e making in the community and around the world with the support of donors like you.
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