2019 Cedars Symphony for ‘The Bell’

Montreal, QC., Nov. 21, 2019 – On the evening of Sunday, November 17, Cedars Symphony for ‘The Bell’ took place at the beautiful St. Andrew and St. Paul Church with I Medici di McGill Orchestra, led by Maestro Giles Auger and renowned cellist Stéphane Tétreault.

‘The Bell’ Fund, at the Cedars Cancer Foundation, provides comfort kits for every newly diagnosed cancer patient. ‘The Bell Fund’ also supports the humanitarian efforts of Cedars Cansupport, offering financial for patients in need.

With a steadfast commitment to actively-supporting the community, President and CEO of Cedars Cancer Foundation, Mr. Jeff Shamie started the benefit concert and introduced honorary patrons Mr. John and Mrs. Phyllis Rae who best described Judy with a meaningful phrase popularized by former U.S President H.W Bush, “A thousand points of light.” A phrase that Mr. Rae aptly corrected to ‘billions of points of light’, adding that this night was about celebrating one of those examples that make our world better. “She [Judy] is a cancer survivor and she speaks the universal language, in health, of caring -the importance of caring and the importance of love. These are universal emotions.”

Judy followed up with a speech thanking all the heroes who helped her the past 4 years including Dr. Jonathan Meakins and Michael Martin, who changed hospital policy and fought to have the bell to be put up. Another special guest was talented 10-year-old violinist Léandre Gaucher, who after beating cancer himself, has played in concerts benefiting other cancer patients. The evening ended with a beautiful reception filled with joyous laughter as people shared their life changing experience with ‘The Bell’ fund and culture of care found at MUHC.

This benefit concert would not have been possible without the generous sponsors that came together to support the cause: Macdonald Stewart Foundation, The Rossy Foundation, Brian and Alida Rossy Family Foundation, Adair Family Foundation, Clarus Foundation, Richard Hart and Family, Josette Robertson, Metro, Rempart, Reitmans, James and Emma Grisé, Mr. Sassoon and Mrs. Evelyn Khazzam, Kerr Financial, Jarislowsky Fraser, Redbourne, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Women of North America, The Highwater Foundation, FRIPP Warehousing, Kathryn Cottingham, Virgin Hill Coffee Roasters and Mi Corazon Foundation.

As we celebrate another successful Cedars Symphony for ‘The Bell’, we hold Judy’s words to heart, “see you in two years from now!”

‘The Bell’ Fund

On June 7, 2012, Judy Martin was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. For over a year, she fought for her life—and won. During her chemotherapy treatments, Judy realized that no one celebrated the end of their chemotherapy treatments. This didn’t feel right to her.

Inspired by Toronto’s Princess Margaret’s Hospital, she brought a bell to Montreal and had it engraved in English and French. The bell was installed in the chemotherapy ward of the Royal Victoria Hospital.

Judy was the first patient to ring the bell on September 4, 2013. In April 2015, the bell was moved to its new home at the Cedars Cancer Centre at the MUHC’s Glen site. ‘The Bell’ Fund also provides a soft blanket for every newly diagnosed child on Sarah’s Floor at the Montreal Children’s Hospital for their Pediatric Comfort Kit initiative.

Each Comfort Kit contains a soft Fleece blanket, a reusable water bottle, a notepad, magazine and pen and soothing mints to remove metal taste that some patients have during treatment.

Cedars Cancer Foundation

Situated in Montreal, Cedars Cancer Foundation is a hospital-based foundation that supports comprehensive cancer care for all patients – pediatric, adolescent and young adult, adults and those in palliative care –at the MUHC.

Since 1966, Cedars has raised over $60 million in much-needed funds to invest in cancer research, patient education and professional training, purchase state-of-the-art equipment, improve facilities, build and sustain awareness of cancer-related issues and provide exceptional care and treatment for cancer patients and their families.

Cedars also offers a wide range of free services and support programs to look after the minds, bodies and spirits of cancer patients.

For more information, please contact:

Rita Latif

Cedars Cancer Foundation

(514) 656-6662

rita.latif@cedarscancer.ca