​Last night, Louis Roquet, the Chancellor of Université de Montréal, greeted us in the Hall of Honour of the university's Roger-Gaudry Pavilion at a special evening of celebration in honour of the Quebec Cancer Foundation's 40th anniversary.

Some hundred friends of the Foundation—partners, business volunteers and donors—were present to mark the occasion.
 
Guests were gathered to attend a preview of the launch of the book La Fondation québécoise du cancer : du rêve à la réalité co-written by 3 of the co-founders of the Quebec Cancer Foundation : Dr. Pierre Audet-Lapointe, Dr. Pierre Band et Dr. Michel Gélinas.
 
The book accurately and emotionally retraces the beautiful story of the Foundation since its inception: the story of five medical specialists who wanted to see their dream come true, to transform the ways that things were done in their field in that era, by finding inspiration in the best practices worldwide and implementing them in Quebec—at a time when many thought that the cancer issue would soon be resolved.
 

The 3 co-founders with their family members

 
As Dr. Guy Breton, Rector of the University of Montreal, writes so beautifully in his preface to the book: "The story of the first forty years of the Quebec Cancer Foundation deserves to be told. [...] The crusade against cancer is still far from over, but it has given us some Quebec heroes who will inspire new generations to take up the torch. This is the story of five of them. "
 
Through this lovely book, the three founders relate the tale of this dream become reality. Available free of charge in digital format here.
 
For 40 years, nearly half a million Quebecers have knocked on the doors of the Foundation, whether it be for information, psychological support or specialized accommodation close to treatment centers.
 
The second part of the evening featured the 2nd edition of the appointment of the Foundation's Governors Members. This year, 10 individuals and organizations received this prestigious title, in recognition of their invaluable contribution to the Foundation: Brault & Bouthillier, Yvan Dubois, Jean-François and Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, the Fondation de la massothérapie, Pierre Laurin, Diane Moreau, Nordik Spa-Nature, Tommy Robillard, Serge Saucier and UAP (Napa Auto Parts).
 
This distinction demonstrates the Board of Directors' profound desire to recognize the outstanding contributions of those who have shown their lasting commitment toward the wellbeing of Quebecers and their loved ones facing cancer.

For a second year, renowned artist Bernard Séguin Poirier has specially crafted art objects for the 10 new Governors Members. They were particularly touched by the honour and showed great humility by thanking the Foundation and pledging their support in the coming years.
 
This was a wonderful evening in honour of the Quebec Cancer Foundation's 40th anniversary. Everyone present was able to reaffirm the significant role it plays within the Quebec community and the importance of the Foundation continued existence in order to fulfill its mission for the great benefit of society.