The Launch of Vivre Rire Découvrir / Live Laugh Learn Montreal

Being new to Rethink Breast Cancer, I had a basic idea of what my first few weeks would consist of – definitely a lot of learning, getting to know how the programs run and being introduced to the many amazing people involved with the organization. Who would have known that I would be a source of contact for the young women in Quebec and would travel to Montreal for a Live Laugh Learn launch in the first two weeks!?!? But, I love being directly involved in things, so instead of getting nervous, I was pumped! Okay, maybe I was a little nervous!

Monique (left) - fashion consultant 

& Lisa Sim (right) creator of SIM

Mineral Makeup. Our speakers for

the evening. 

Both of my parents are francophone and raised me as such.  Unfortunately, when my mostly French-speaking mom passed away 2 years ago from breast cancer, and after marrying an Anglophone, I found myself using my native tongue less and less.  Being the bilingual contact for Live Laugh Learn (Vivre Rire Découvrir) is a win-win situation –not only is it an excellent opportunity for me to start using my French again, but it allows the young French-speaking women of Canada an opportunity to participate in the support programs they need in dealing with breast cancer (as long as they are patient with my hesitation in selecting words at times!). 

On Oct. 3, Farheen (senior manager of support and education programs) and I went about preparing for that night’s program – from reviewing the welcoming remarks, to finalizing the schedule, to visiting the local grocery store to purchase the yummy goodies for the participants.  Unfortunately, we were only in Montreal for the day, and boy did it fly by!  Soon enough, it was time to make our way down to the lululemon store on Ste. Catherine, meet our committee members to set up and get the night started!

Members of the committee Frédérique, Monique, Deborah,
Angie, Kira and Dawn.

Our Montreal committee is awesome!  Being the first session, I would have expected a few blips, however they worked amazingly as a team!  Angie Dimitriou, Dawn Cleary, Deborah Bridgman, Frédérique Denis, Kira Barrett and Monique Joseph helped the participants feel welcome and at ease. 

The topic of the night was “Style up and Feel Fab!” – a wonderfully fun topic for the first meeting!  Lisa Sim (owner of SIM Minerals make-up) gave some worthwhile tips on skin care & make-up application for  women undergoing or who have completed treatment.  Our committee’s very own Monique Joseph dazzled the group by sharing some fashion tips to help young women find styles and designs that will help them look and feel their best during and after surgery or chemo.  She even brought samples outfits to display!

As I stood back and refilled the tray with Poutine-style cheese curds (that are delicious and the good stuff can only truly be found in Quebec!), I listened to the laughter as the women chatted and I watched their new friendships form.  While the young women participating in the program obviously had one thing in common, they bonded over so much more.  Chatting about make-up and fashion tips in the lululemon store allowed them a “girls’ night out” – the chance to unite and not be defined by their diagnosis, but rather as young women with various backgrounds, interests and questions.  A calm feeling of happiness came over me. I was happy to see how strong and courageous these young women are.  I was happy, and that Live Laugh Learn / Vivre Rire Découvrir is available to them – the opportunity to form connections at a time when they may otherwise feel alone.  And of course, I was feeling happy to be part of all this just 2 weeks in.

If you are a young woman with breast cancer in Montreal, join Live Laugh Learn / Vivre Rire Découvrir!  Email Pam at pam@rethinkbreastcancer.com.

Pam D’Ippolito,
Programs Coordinator