At Sainte-Justine’s Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau, everyone is familiar with certain major philanthropic allies—starting with the Centre’s namesake. Here, the Charles-Bruneau Foundation is a true pillar, notably for providing long-standing and essential support for research.
Last fall saw the culmination of a major initiative behind which the Charles-Bruneau Foundation was a driving force: jointly led by Dr. Sonia Cellot, MD, and Dr. Daniel Sinnett, the SIGNATURE project united Quebec’s four pediatric university hospitals in an effort to make increasingly targeted therapies available to a greater number of young cancer patients. As the name suggests, targeted therapy is a form of precision treatment that attacks certain types of cancer. It often has the dual advantage of not only increasing the individual’s chances of survival, but also causing fewer side effects than traditional treatments.
The efforts of the teams involved have paid off: for almost a year now, genomic tumour analysis has been offered to all pediatric cancer patients at Sainte-Justine, so they can have as much information as possible before choosing a course of treatment. This service will soon be extended to all children in the province—an incredible milestone that would not have been achieved without the generosity of the Charles-Bruneau Foundation and donors like you!
Once again this year, families affected by cancer have also received immeasurable assistance from two other key partners. These organizations have supported them through all stages of the ordeal they are facing, while contributing to cancer research with energy and conviction:
- Boasting a qualified team of leading experts in their field, our loyal partners at Leucan offer families specific and personalized services, notably through the Leucan Information Centre at Sainte-Justine.
- We are also grateful to the Cole Foundation, whose generosity, combined with that of the general public, has amounted to invaluable financial support for oncology patients and their families by alleviating the cost of frequent trips to the hospital, ensuring fridges are stocked when they return home, and so much more.
All of these essential partners are working tirelessly to change the face of cancer. This year, they were joined by a remarkable couple, Diane Blais and Michel Lanteigne, who made a record-breaking donation. Among other things, their philanthropic gift has enabled the creation of the Fonds Benoit Lanteigne, dedicated to the development of innovative therapies in pediatric oncology.
A beacon of hope for children of today and tomorrow, this extraordinary bequest was made in memory of Mr. Lanteigne’s late son, Benoit, who died of leukemia at the age of 8. Sainte-Justine’s specialized care building has also been renamed in his honour.
