The Carole Epstein Foundation: A 20 year-long legacy of giving

Carole Epstein was born in Montreal in the winter of 1945. A lover of fashion, travel, and the arts, she could be found on Saturday afternoons enjoying the tradition of high tea and lively conversation with an eclectic gathering of friends. Friends who formed a mighty support group during her illness and remain close today.

“Carole was a multi-faceted woman who loved life,” recalls a dear friend and Carole Epstein Foundation Trustee. “She had this vibrant, colourful presence—her energy was contagious, and people were drawn to her.”

Carole was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 51 years old, and despite an almost decade-long battle fought as courageously as you’d expect from someone who unabashedly loved her life, passed away in 2004.

Even in the midst of treatment, Carole never slowed down, choosing to establish herself as a writer and pursue her passion for murder mysteries. She published Perilous Friends: A Barbara Simons Mystery, a novel set in an upscale Montreal neighborhood entangled in murder, cigarette-smuggling rings, and scandalous intrigue. Publishers Weekly praised her debut, highlighting its “glimpse into a rich Montreal of close-knit ethnic communities bedeviled by language wars and snowy winters.” Her work was proof that, despite the challenges of serious illness, Carole never lost herself—her passion for storytelling, her love for Montreal, or her boundless creativity.

Prior to her death, Carole established the Carole Epstein Foundation ensuring her legacy lives on through its incredible mandate brought to life by her closest friends. Dedicated to improving the lives of women, especially those with ovarian cancer, the foundation supports various initiatives—from innovation in medical research to creative writing grants—across Montreal and beyond.

In 2007, through the MUHC Foundation, the Carole Epstein Foundation began supporting Dr. Lucy Gilbert’s DOvEEgene project—a revolutionary early detection test that could change the future of women’s cancer screening. Ovarian and endometrial cancers are known as silent killers, often showing no symptoms until it is too late. But thanks to DOvEEgene, that narrative is changing.

“It has been a privilege to continue supporting Dr. Gilbert’s work through the MUHC Foundation. DOvEEgene feels especially close to home,” reflects a friend. “It’s a powerful reminder of how far cancer research has come. I know that for Carole, preventing even one woman from facing what she endured would have meant everything.”

The Carole Epstein Foundation recently played a key role in bringing world-class expertise to the MUHC by helping recruit Dr. Reitan Ribeiro, a distinguished gynecologist oncologist from Brazil. Dr. Ribeiro earned his medical degree from the Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre and completed advanced training in surgical and gynecologic oncology at Erasto Gaetner Hospital, one of Brazil’s leading cancer centers.

With dual training in both surgical oncology and gynecologic oncology, Dr. Ribeiro is highly skilled in treating metastatic gynecological cancers and performing cutting-edge, innovative surgeries for women that substantially increase their chances of cure.

Dr. Ribeiro is internationally recognized for pioneering uterine transposition, a groundbreaking surgical procedure that helps preserve fertility in women undergoing radiation treatment for pelvic cancers. He will be launching a program for uterine transposition at the MUHC, the first of its kind in Canada.

Drawn to Montreal by the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Gilbert and make advancements in gynecologic cancer prevention and early detection, Dr. Ribeiro is now an integral part of the MUHC team. "Without the support of the Carole Epstein Foundation, Dr. Ribeiro's recruitment would not have been possible. Now, women in Quebec will benefit from his expertise and care," shared Dr. Gilbert.

“Taking this job offer was exciting because it’s a two-way street,” says Dr. Ribeiro. “I’m learning so much from Dr. Gilbert and the team while also sharing my own expertise. It’s a fantastic collaboration and I’m thrilled to be part of it.”

For Dr. Ribeiro, the MUHC is a place where he could make a real difference. “This hospital is a perfect storm for meaningful work,” he says. “The combination of cutting-edge science and hands-on patient care creates an environment where real change happens. I can’t operate on millions of women, but through our research, we can make discoveries that will help millions.”

The impact of the Carole Epstein Foundation is evident in every life touched by DOvEEgene, in every woman who gains access to early detection, and in every researcher and physician—like Dr. Ribeiro—who joins the fight against these deadly diseases.

“I’m so grateful to both the Carole Epstein Foundation and the MUHC Foundation for their continuous support of DOvEEgene. Every dollar donated brings us closer to revolutionizing early detection for ovarian and endometrial cancers, and helps save lives,” shares Dr. Lucy Gilbert, Director of Gynecologic Oncology Cancer Service at the MUHC and Founder of DOvEEgene.

Carole’s name, proudly displayed on three plaques at the MUHC, continues to be recognized by those who pass by, a testament to a woman whose kindness and generosity now extend far beyond her lifetime.

“When people see the plaques, our hope is that they’ll understand that giving a gift is about more than a donation, it’s about the impact it has on other people. And our hope is that they’ll see Carole’s plaque and be inspired to give back themselves,” shares a Carole’s lifelong friend and Trustee of the Foundation.

“The Carole Epstein Foundation’s generosity is changing lives. Through their support of DOvEEgene and the recruitment of top researchers, they’re helping us improve early detection and ultimately save more women from ovarian and endometrial cancers. Carole’s legacy will continue to shape the future of women’s health and we could not be more grateful,” says Marie-Hélène Laramée, President and CEO of the MUHC Foundation.

Carole Epstein’s legacy lives on—not just in the memories of those who loved her, but in the lives she continues to save.

Join us in honouring Carole’s legacy. Donate today to support DOvEEgene and help transform cancer care for women. Learn more here.