For more than a century, Sainte-Justine has relied on the support of a dedicated community. — a community with a big heart and an even bigger commitment to the health of children and mothers-to-be. Robert Pichette is a proud member of this community. He decided to make a bequest to the Foundation to ensure that his support would continue beyond his lifetime.
Robert Pichette first came into contact with Sainte-Justine 45 years ago, when his three-year-old son was referred to the hospital by their family doctor for some worrisome symptoms.
“I still remember how quickly the team of caring professionals sprang into action. They diagnosed him with meningitis almost immediately,” he says. “Thanks to the excellent care he received, he pulled through without any lasting complications.”
Mr. Pichette considers himself a very fortunate person, even though he lost the love of his life to bone cancer four years ago. He decided to retire shortly after she was diagnosed so he could look after her and enjoy every moment by her side, until the very end.
“My wife was an exceptional woman. When she gave, she gave with her whole heart,” he remembers. “Her generosity always inspired me. It’s still inspiring me now.”
Making a mark
Mr. Pichette contacted the CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation to honour his late wife’s memory with a bequest in his will. He wants to ensure that his support for a cause that has meant so much to both of them over the years lives on long after he is gone.
His personal experience made it clear to him that children don’t belong in a hospital — they should be at home with their families, learning, playing and running around. That’s why he wants to help the teams at Sainte-Justine continue providing the best possible care to young patients from all over the province, just as they did for his son.
Life has been very good to me, and now it’s my turn to pay it forward. We never really know what we leave behind us, but I’m convinced that having a positive impact on multiple generations of children is a beautiful legacy. Children are our future.
With his planned gift, Mr. Pichette hopes to inspire others to support the Foundation. “If my story touches someone and gets them to make a donation, I will have accomplished even more than I had hoped.”
