Caring for the Future

Cedars Cancer Foundation event raises $2,430,000 to secure the future of supportive care for MUHC cancer patients

On Saturday, October 26, 350 guests gathered for a glamourous evening at Le Salon Richmond 1861 in Montréal to help secure the future of supportive care for cancer patients and their families at the McGill University Health Centre. The special event, hosted by the Cedars Cancer Foundation, celebrated the 35^th anniversary of Cedars CanSupport and paid tribute to its founder, Gwen Andrews Nacos.

 “Our goal is to reduce the prevalence of the disease, its mortality rate, and the costs related to cancer treatment and care. But it’s also to improve the quality of care. However, ‘standard of care’ government funding doesn’t cover programs like Cedars CanSupport. We rely on philanthropic support to keep it in place.” – Dr. Armen Aprikian, Chief, MUHC Cancer Care Mission, Medical Director, Cedars Cancer Centre

Gwen Nacos and Gina Bertozzi

After surviving a cancer diagnosis as a young mother, Gwen started the program that would become Cedars CanSupport, with a mission to ensure that no patient at the Royal Victoria Hospital would have to go through their cancer journey alone. Since then, Cedars CanSupport has grown considerably and has helped thousands of McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) patients and families get through one of the most difficult times of their lives.

“Gwen Nacos’ unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life of cancer patients over the past 35 years is remarkable,” said Dr. Lucie Opatrny, President and Executive Director of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC). “Thanks to her experience, vision and dedication, thousands of MUHC patients have benefited from compassionate, practical and professional support services during and beyond their cancer journey through Cedars CanSupport.”

Jeff J. Shamie, President and CEO of the Cedars Cancer Foundation, added: “The Cedars community has been proudly supporting Cedars CanSupport, and working alongside Gwen, for 35 years. The program has become an integral part of who we are and what we do.”

CanSupport volunteers

Today, Cedars CanSupport is funded by the Cedars Cancer Foundation and run by the MUHC, as part of its Supportive and Palliative Care Division. In collaboration with the healthcare team, it provides complementary support to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and families, from the moment of diagnosis right through to the end of treatment – or end of life.

“We offer free emotional support, educational services, complementary therapies, practical resources, and humanitarian assistance,” explained Cedars CanSupport Co-Director, Virginia Lee, PhD. “All of our programs, services and activities are supported by the best available evidence and are offered by certified professionals. Our patients and their families may be very vulnerable at any point of their experience. Our aim is to be ready to provide supportive care in ways that provide the maximum benefit whenever they need it.”

CanSupport volunteers

Dr. Justin Sanders, who heads the Division of Supportive and Palliative Care, went on to say: “The most important thing we can do is ensure that every patient feels that they made it through their experience as a whole person, without the trauma that characterizes so much medical treatment these days.”

Rachel Dagenais, who was diagnosed with breast cancer and treated at the Cedars Cancer Centre this year, recounted how Cedars CanSupport Co-Director Anna Burgos helped her get through the hardest stages of her treatment – and made her feel like a whole person again. “Around the 8^th or 9^th treatment, I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, and Anna could feel it. She’d come over, pull up a chair, take the time to sit down with me, and talk about something other than cancer. It made such a difference.”

The October 26^th soirée was festive, with upbeat live music, outstanding food, and a warm, elegant décor theme that evoked a luxurious French country château with a modern twist – all orchestrated by Danielle Bitton of Seal Productions. However, the fundraising event had a very serious purpose: to establish an endowment fund dedicated to sustaining Cedars CanSupport in perpetuity.

CanSupport volunteers

As Jeff J. Shamie explained in his speech: “Cancer patients need more than just medical care; they need psychosocial care. This endowment fund will provide a stable source of funding, allowing Cedars CanSupport to continue providing the highest standard of compassionate supportive care to every cancer patient who walks through the doors of the MUHC for many years to come.”

Two-time cancer survivor Mike Flinker, current Chair of the Cedars Cancer Foundation, added: “This type of care is not just a ‘want to have’;” it’s a ‘must have.’ Collectively, we have the capacity to ensure that it’s available for future generations. By supporting the endowment, you’re making an investment in the future of patient care and making a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals and families.”

Cedars extended a special thank-you to the following: The Rossy Foundation; The Tom and Gwen Nacos family; Mike Flinker and Dr. Marcia Gillman; the Shadeed and Assi families; the Albert and Florence Aziz Family Foundation; the Mi Corazon Foundation; Andrew Lutfy and family; and Frank and Mary Rana.