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Cancer
World Cancer Day
World Cancer Day
Launched
2023 January
Help us End Cancer. The fight starts now.
On World Cancer Day, February 4, 2023, we are taking action to create a world where fewer loved ones are lost to cancer. Read on to learn about six inspiring individuals sharing their stories of hope, love, courage, uncertainty and survival. Your donation to cancer research is matched dollar for dollar, making your generous gift even more important. Choose the research that inspires you, and give today. Together, we can make a difference.
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Help our World Cancer Day Ambassadors fight cancer
Claire Trottier is fighting back against breast cancer
When Claire Trottier found the lump in her breast, she wanted to believe it was a tight muscle or a lymph node. Deep down, she knew it was cancer. Claire put her life on pause and endured nearly a year of treatment, dealing with the pain of surgery and the devastation of losing her hair, eyelashes and eyebrows. She rang in 2023 with optimism and gratitude for her wonderful care team at the MUHC. Eager to give back, the Trottier Family Foundation is matching all donations to breast cancer up to $100,000.
“I was devastated by my diagnosis, but I also knew that I had one of the most treatable forms of breast cancer. Though life will never be quite the same again, I am forever grateful to still be here with my husband, and to watch my children grow up.” –Claire Trottier
Pascale Charbonneau is protecting generations of women
Pascale Charbonneau watched her grandmother endure cervical cancer and then her mother go through uterine cancer. Both were 62 when they were diagnosed, and fortunately, both survived. Pascale watched for signs of these cancers her entire life and, sure enough, at 62 she was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. But she had something her family didn’t: the DOvEEgene test. This early detection test for women’s cancers, developed by the MUHC’s Dr. Lucy Gilbert, ensured that Pascale’s cancer was found early, when it was more survivable. DOvEE not only changed Pascale’s life, but promises to change the lives of her daughter and granddaughter.
“Taking part in DOvEE didn’t just change my life, it will change my daughter’s life and my granddaughter’s life. If we can find these cancers early, so many lives will be saved.” –Pascale Charbonneau
Suzanne Sauvage is keeping hope alive for kidney cancer patients
On her way to work one day, Suzanne Sauvage had a terrible pain in her abdomen. Twelve hours later, she was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Shock turned to disbelief, but she knew that with the expert care of the MUHC, she had a fighting chance. She endured surgery to remove her kidney, followed by treatment for cancer that appeared in her lung. Today, Suzanne is closely monitored by Dr. Simon Tanguay, and the care she receives by every single member of her health care team at the MUHC gives her confidence in her health. All gifts in support of kidney cancer research and care will be matched up to $100,000 by La Fondation Emmanuelle Gattuso.
“When you hear the word cancer, you always imagine the worst. I prepared myself for a long battle. There was always hope. Even though cancer takes something away from you, I never lost that.” –Suzanne Sauvage
Nathan Boidman is proof that there’s life after bladder cancer
When Nathan Boidman saw blood in his urine, he knew something was seriously wrong. Just six days later, he was in surgery to confirm what he already feared: that he had cancer. Under the care of MUHC urologist Dr. Wassim Kassouf, Nathan endured chemotherapy and then surgery to remove his bladder. Recurrence of bladder cancer is common, and for several years after his surgery Nathan feared he wouldn’t survive. Today, a decade after his diagnosis, although still dealing with the challenges of his disease, he feels he has beaten the cancer. He is grateful for the expert care he received at the MUHC. All gifts in support of bladder cancer research and care will be matched up to $100,000 by The Tino and Carmela Carrara Family Foundation.
“The physical recovery was difficult, but the psychological recovery is even harder. It takes a really long time—you go into denial and wonder how and when you’re ever going to feel normal again.” –Nathan Boidman
Eddy Nolan has dedicated his life to fighting cancer
Eddy Nolan has lived with throat cancer for 12 years. When he was diagnosed in 2011, he asked his doctor if he would survive. The doctor said, “we can’t answer that, but you’re in for quite a fight.” Eddy underwent chemotherapy and 36 days of radiation, sometimes twice a day. Treatment was incredibly difficult, but Eddy was determined to show others that cancer didn’t have to be a death sentence. He takes inspiration from Terry Fox: he has been running and fundraising for 42 years and has never missed a Terry Fox run. Just like Terry, he is determined to advance cancer research. All gifts in support of Dr. Sadeghi and throat cancer research and care will be matched up to $100,000 by The Mongeau Family Foundation.
“There is always hope, you have to hold on to hope. There are no guarantees, but I have to believe everything is possible.” –Eddy Nolan
Max Dubois strives for a life well lived
When Max Dubois was diagnosed with throat cancer, he was overcome with grief. His father and brother-in-law had both lost their lives to cancer, and he feared the men in his family were condemned to this fate. The cancer was caused by human papilloma virus (HPV), a common virus that can cause several types of cancer. After six successful surgeries under the expert care of Dr. Nader Sadeghi, Max decided to focus on gratitude: for the tenderness and empathy of his care team, and for his life. He is grateful for every day, and determined to help others by sharing his story, advocating for vaccination against HPV, and fundraising. All gifts in support of Dr. Sadeghi and throat cancer research and care will be matched up to $100,000 by The Mongeau Family Foundation.
“The solution, in the face of cancer, is love and empathy. Love of family and friends. The empathy of wonderful doctors like Dr. Sadeghi. ” –Max Dubois
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Julie Snyder's Mission to End Ovarian Cancer
Julie Snyder is championing early detection of ovarian cancer
Julie Snyder, beloved television personality and host of Noovo’s La Semaine des 4 Julie, is on a mission: to save the lives of women like her mother, who died of ovarian cancer. This World Cancer Day, she is fundraising to support the DOvEE project, a new test that can detect ovarian and endometrial cancers early, before they become a death sentence. Invented by Dr. Lucy Gilbert, the test promises to save countless lives. Julie believes strongly in Dr. Gilbert’s work, and is even participating in the final clinical trial of the DOvEE test. Join Julie in supporting Dr. Gilbert and DOvEE by making a gift today.
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Join the movement