Giving to care for those we love

Ten years after losing my husband to brain cancer, which took him in merely three months, the disease struck again in my family. In 2010, my granddaughter Isabelle was diagnosed with her first cancer at only 35 years of age.

This news angered me greatly! It was an unfair situation! Young, always in good spirits, she loved walking in nature, she had never smoked, she lived a very healthy life. In spite of my anger, I wanted to be there for her, but I didn’t know what to do to help he. I did not have the knowledge do the right thing at the right moment.

I felt especially powerless when Isabelle had to begin her chemotherapy in Montreal. At 83 years of age, I couldn’t drive and really wondered how she could get back home to Boisbriand after such demanding treatments.

Fortunately, she discovered the Quebec Cancer Foundation Lodge where she was allowed to live just steps from the Hospital. I was so relieved to know she was cared for! When I saw her on weekends, she was all smiles, not at all downtrodden or discouraged. She told me how she had spent a good week, talked about the people she met at the Lodge and the activities she took part in: art therapy, bingo, city tours. Such a precious place like that for people with cancer!

As I saw that my granddaughter was so well looked after, I wanted to support the Quebec Cancer Foundation. Before this experience, I had hesitated to give to foundations because I wondered how the funds raised were used. There it was different; I saw in concrete terms what my money was being used for! By visiting the Lodge, I saw so many people like Isabelle who had to go far from home and family to take their treatments and who needed accommodation at a reasonable cost. I did not know about this option and it really opened my eyes! I am proud to have helped the Quebec Cancer Foundation offer such essential services.

My advice to you: do not hesitate to donate! Your gifts will have a real and practical impact for people like Isabelle who are fighting against cancer and who need daily support.

Cécile Rossignol

In 2010 and 2011, Isabelle had three stays of several weeks each at the Montreal Lodge to deal with a stage 3 colorectal cancer which recurred. She is still in remission. The Quebec Cancer Foundation wishes her good luck and especially good health!