Dear Friend,
We recently announced the launch of the Cedars Covid-19 Humanitarian Fund for Pediatric and Adult Cancer Patients and their families, aligned with the Wilfrid Howick Humanitarian Fund and administered through Cedars CanSupport throughout the MUHC. If you missed that message, through this fund, the Cedars Cancer Foundation at the McGill University Health Center (MUHC) will continue to provide assistance and resources for cancer patients, and their families, in financial need, in an effort to alleviate the negative impact of financial hardship, reducing the stress associated with life’s basic necessities such as shelter, groceries, utilities, and transportation costs. The fund allows Cedars to help those most in need. Donors to this fund offer a tangible outreach to our patients when they are at their most vulnerable. Thank you for supporting this important patient community.
IT’S ALL ABOUT CONNECTING
In 2017, Warren Rosenberg made a big splash 500 lbs at a time! Warren was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in April 2016 with a Myeloid Sarcoma on his face. At the time of the diagnosis the overall survival rate was approximately 27%, Warren was in for the fight of his life.
During cancer treatment journey, being admitted to the hospital at times can be very difficult. As a patient, Warren considered himself fortunate; his support network lived near to the hospital, he had a good job and a great company behind him and the financial capacity to subscribe to the internet and TV, making his time in the hospital more tolerable. Many aren’t so lucky and are stuck in their rooms alone or they can’t afford even the TV or internet. With his friends, he organized the 500 lbs Challenge, dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of cancer patients at the hospital by addressing the often-overlooked needs of inpatient non-medical care and supporting the internet & TV services of the cancer patients on the Hematology-Oncology inpatient care unit at the MUHC Glen site.
Today, we are continuing Warren’s work! Thanks to the generosity of Sarah’s Fund at Cedars, we provide free wifi on Sarah’s Floor, the Hematology-Oncology Floor at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. For our adult patients, and as part of the Covid-19 Humanitarian Fund for Cancer Patients, we are donating iPads, thanks to a generous donor, for use by our patients, so they can stay connected to their families, get lost in their favourite on-line shows, or just find a soothing way to pass the time during treatments. Your gift today can help us continue to keep families connected.
IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY
We’re all doing our best to help flatten the curve. And we know that there are numerous appeals that arrive on a daily basis. To that end, we have seen a marked increase in the number of humanitarian aid requests during this pandemic, and our vision is unwavering, in that we are looking to ease the pain and suffering caused by cancer. Together with our inspired community of donors and volunteers, we are taking a stand for cancer patients.
We are the MUHC’s funding arm against cancer, and with your help we are making a meaningful difference. General donations to the Cedars Cancer Foundation improve the health and well-being of pediatric, young adult and adult cancer patients, and their families, throughout and beyond treatment, by leading philanthropic initiatives that support excellence and innovations in clinical care, research, education and supportive care services.
Please donate today and help drive excellence at the Cedars Cancer Centre, Sarah's Floor and throughout the MUHC and the Rossy Cancer Network. Join us as we help those in need when they’re most vulnerable.
All of us at the Cedars Cancer Foundation want to thank you for caring enough to continue to help. During this time of uncertainty and change, we just ask you to remember that cancer has not taken a pause.
In addition, through the Cedars Governors’ Circle, Cedars hopes to build its capacity to support cancer patients and their families.
Please become a member this year. By making one or more donations totalling $250 or more within a single calendar year (January 1 to December 31), you will be recognized as a member of a special leadership programme that addresses the needs of cancer patients and their families across the continuum of life, from pediatric, adolescent and adult care to survivorship, palliative and supportive care.
Stay Safe. With best personal regards,
Jeff J. Shamie, MPA
President and CEO