Astronaut Steve MacLean, Patron of the 7th National Conference to Defeat Cancer

MONTREAL, Oct. 23, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Astronaut and former Canadian Space Agency President Steve MacLean will be the patron of the 7^th National Conference to Defeat Cancer, scheduled to be held in Montreal, on April 9-10, 2015.

In making this announcement, the President of Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec, Nathalie Rodrigue, T.M., said she was delighted with the participation of Steve MacLean "who will shed some light on a lesser-known facet of the battle against cancer".

During his space flight training sessions, Steve MacLean took part in numerous cancer studies, focusing specifically on leukemia. Over the years, many scientific studies conducted in space have led to the development of concrete applications for improving medical practices, including some in oncology. As a matter of fact, Steve continues to pursue his research work.

"I am very proud to be the patron of the 7^th National Conference to Defeat Cancer, as  its theme "Get involved in your health, invest in your community" appeals to me. It speaks of an involvement that reminds me of life in space," explains Steve. "When you see the earth, atmosphere and universe as one, you realize that the earth has been the same for millions of years and will remain so for millions of years to come. We feel we are going to be around a long time still, and this gives humanity a great deal of hope. The same goes for cancer. More than ever, we have to maintain hope, since there are more survivors today than there were in preceding generations. As a result, we believe we will survive disease longer, owing to major advances in cancer research, both in space and on earth," points out the astronaut.

"Get involved in your health, invest in your community"

Using this theme, the 7^th National Conference to Defeat Cancer seeks to convey the message that patients have to take charge of their health and also get involved to preserve their health and social services system and become its leading partners. The battle against cancer can only be won through the synergy of everyone involved: professionals, patients and patient groups, informal caregivers, community organizations, public institutions and healthcare professionals. For Steve MacLean, "as in any space mission, life and survival depend on team work."    

To register, consult the preliminary program, view Steve MacLean's video and/or obtain information regarding the event, visit the website: www.conferencecancer.com

About the Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec

Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec was founded in 2001 to protect, support and give a strong voice to people affected by cancer (patients, survivors, informal caregivers, their families and their loved ones, as well as cancer-related community organizations and health professionals) and to help organize the fight against cancer.

Because of the contribution of these organizations and members, the Coalition's membership represents close to 1.5 million people.

Alliance of the Cultural Communities for Equality in Health and Social Services (ACCESSS), Association des radio-oncologues du Québec (AROQ), Association du cancer de l'Est du Québec (ACEQ), Association des laryngectomisés de Montréal Inc, Care-Ring-Voice Network, Canadian Breast Cancer Network (CBCN), Cancer testiculaire Canada, Can Support Cedars, Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada (CCAC), Association québécoise des registraires en oncologie (AQRO), Association des retraitées et retraités de l'éducation et des autres services publics du Québec (AREQ), Centre d'action bénévole de Bellechasse - Lévis - Lotbinière (Espoir Cancer), Chaire Environnement-Cancer Guzzo de l'Université de Montréal, Chaire de recherche et de traitement du cancer de l'UQAM, Conseil pour la protection des malades (CPM), Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada, Quebec Clinical Research Organization in Cancer (Q-CROC), Fédération des comités des usagers et de résidents du Québec (FCURQ), Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ), Fédération des cliniques privées de la physiothérapie du Québec, Fondation Rêvez la vie, Foundation of Stars, Hope & Cope / L'espoir, c'est la vie, HPV Awareness Corporation, Institut de l'anémie - Recherche et éducation (IARE), La Maison Aube-Lumière, Le Regroupement québécois des maladies orphelines; Lymphoma Canada, Lymphedema Association of Quebec, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada, Mains de l'espoir de Charlevoix, Myeloma Canada, Nova Montréal, Maison Sercan, Ordre des technologues en imagerie médicale, en radio-oncologie et en électrophysiologie médicale du Québec (OTIMROEPMQ), Ordre professionnel des technologistes médicaux du Québec (OPTMQ), Organisation québécoise pour les personnes atteintes de cancer (OQPAC), Organisme gaspésien pour les personnes atteintes de cancer (OGPAC), Ovaire espoir, Ovarian Cancer Canada (OCC), Palliative Home-care Society of Greater Montreal, ProCure-The Force Against Prostate Cancer, Professionnals Networking for Caregivers, Quebec Clinical Research Organization in Cancer, Quebec Lung Association (QLA), Regroupement provincial des comités des usagers (RPCU), Regroupement des aidants naturels du Québec; Regroupement des Aidants Naturels du Comté de l'Assomption (RANCA), Réseau des femmes en environnement, Réseau FADOQ, Save Your Skin Foundation, The Alliance of the Cultural Communities for Equality in Health and Social Services (ACCÉSSS), The Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Society of Canada; The Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada; Thyroid Cancer Canada 

Image with caption: "Astronaut Steve MacLean, Patron of the 7th National Conference to Defeat Cancer. (CNW Group/7th National Conference to Defeat Cancer)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141023_C1937_PHOTO_EN_7044.jpg

SOURCE: 7th National Conference to Defeat Cancer

For further information: Sylvie Piché, 514-868-2009 ext 225, [e-mail]; Source : Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec, www.unevoixforte.com; Facebook: CoalitionPrioriteCancerAuQuebec; Twitter: @CoalitionCancer