The Bethune Foundation, first known as the Bethune Memorial Committee, was established at a meeting of Dr. Norman Bethune's former friends, colleagues and admirers held at McGill University. The objectives were to perpetuate and expand his memory among Canadians by drawing attention to his humanitarian contributions in Canada, Spain and China. The first Chairman was Hazen Sise who was with Dr. Bethune in Spain where he organized the first successful mobile blood transfusion service during the Spanish Civil War. The Honorary Chairman was Dr. Wilder Penfield, Director of the Montreal Neurological Institute.