Rethink in Montreal

From left: Angie, Dr. Gerald Batist & Jen

Much of our daily work at Rethink is done from our laptops in our sunny pink office in Toronto, communicating with contacts and committees all across Canada. In this modern world, we can carry out many goals without ever seeing the face of others on our own team. It was a welcome opportunity, then, when Farheen (Senior Manager of Support & Education Programs) and I scheduled at trip to Montreal in March to do some outreach for our Live Laugh Learn program.

We had four days and big plans: meetings with a number of different service providers, a celebratory gala dinner and, of course, a Live Laugh Learn gathering!

Upon arrival to downtown Montreal, Farheen and I were welcomed by a parade of St. Patrick’s Day carousers. Our cab driver declared that he could not drive us to our hotel due to road closures, and dropped us off in the midst of the parade to negotiate our way (and baggage) through the green crowds. Uphill! At least the sun was shining down on us. Once we arrived at the hotel we did a speedy costume change, picked up healthy & delicious treats for the evening’s event, and were on our way to meet our stellar Montreal Committee!

Our Montreal Live Laugh Learn Committee

Deborah, Angie, Frédérique, Kira, Dawn & Monique are the amazing women that make Live Laugh Learn for young women with breast cancer happen in Montreal each month. We'd exchanged many e-mails and conference calls, but nothing compares to meeting in person, and getting a great big hug and that trademark French double-cheek kiss!

March's Live Laugh Learn featured a talk by esteemed Chair of the Department of Oncology at McGill University, Dr. Gerald Batist. On the forefront of some very exciting research and providing essential treatments to young women with breast cancer at the Jewish General Hospital, the down-to-earth Dr. Batist offered his time to speak with us about new prospects in personalized medicine. It was an incredibly informative evening and he generously answered many eager questions. There were new participants attending the program that night and it was wonderful for Farheen and I to be present to witness the women welcome & support one another. By the end of the night, so much had happened that I found it hard to believe we had only been in Montreal a few hours…our trip had just begun.

For the next few days, we were busy running all around the city. We met with many nurses at the Jewish General and Royal Victoria Hospitals who were keen to spread the word about our programs and had great ideas, studies and stories of their own to share with us. We learned how tight-knit the cancer community in Montreal is, and about some of the incredible work going on at Cedars CanSupport, Hope & Cope, Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation, and VOBOC (Venturing Out Beyond Our Cancer). In between, we of course managed to sneak in some delicious meals in the various colourful downtown neighbourhoods.

Montreal committee members with the Hope & Cope team

Our stay concluded with a beautiful and emotional evening at the VOBOC 10th Anniversary Gala. Founded by Doreen Edwards, VOBOC's mission is to provide newly diagnosed adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology patients with free diversions, resources and tools to help ease their cancer journey.

Inspiring speeches, musical interludes, and fundraising for the cause made for a memorable evening. And chairing the Gala committee was our very own Live Laugh Learn committee member, Deborah Bridgman!

So, our trip was a whirlwind - but a successful whirlwind! We left Montreal feeling tired and inspired, knowing the value of meeting regularly with our national friends and program partners …and grateful for a treat bag of cookies from our new Montreal Live Laugh Learn food sponsor, Simply Wonderful Catering, to eat on the way to the airport!

Jen Lagzdins

Coordinator, Support & Education Programs