MONTREAL, Oct. 28, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - This year, the Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec is proud to welcome Mrs. Marguerite Blais as patron of the 8th National Conference to Defeat Cancer event scheduled to take place on April 14-15, 2016 in Montreal. Former Minister responsible for Seniors, Mrs. Blais joins a long list of public figures who have gotten involved in this important annual gathering of all the people affected by cancer in Quebec.
Host, communication specialist and renowned author, Marguerite Blais was her husband's caregiver until he lost his battle against cancer in March.
"When the Coalition asked me to become the patron of the 8th National Conference to Defeat Cancer, I didn't hesitate for a second. Since my husband Jean-Guy was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in September of 2014, I have lived, as his family caregiver, through the progression of this illness. I also have intimate knowledge of all the issues surrounding the fight against cancer in Quebec. We often hear about the current problems within our health system, but must never forget that there are also extraordinary people in the healthcare team who dedicate themselves heart and soul to taking the best possible care of their patients", explains Marguerite Blais.
She believes in the importance of palliative care services for patients, insisting that it is "the patient's last right in their fight against cancer".
"Cancer: the revolution begins right now!"
Cancer doesn't wait. Patients can't take all this waiting anymore. Diagnoses, wait times for surgeries, access to medication, the best care, the chronic insecurity of caregivers... People affected by cancer need help and they need better services.
The number of cancer cases is expected to increase by more than 35% in the next 20 years(1).
The number of patients will therefore also increase. Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec advocates that all necessary means be taken to improve both the battle against cancer and the assistance given to patients affected by this disease. In cancerology, the revolution has begun. Will we be in a position to rise to the challenge?
We have the new technologies, the pioneering treatments, the expertise of professionals, patient partners and specialists, patient groups, family caregivers, community groups, public institutions, healthcare professionals and researchers. Enough with the discussions to find solutions. Enough with the waiting to implement them into a plan of action that cannot be measured. All the stakeholders of the fight against cancer must work in synergy and act now, taking simple and concrete actions to meet real needs and create an effective and efficient governance of the fight against cancer.
| To register, consult the preliminary program, watch Marguerite Blais' video and/or obtain information regarding the event, visit: 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. The Coalition supports the achievement of the mission of it's community and volunteer members and patients groups. Because of the contribution of these organizations and members, the Coalition's membership represents close to 1.5 million people.
(1) Statistics Canada/Canadian Cancer Society, "Canadian Cancer Statistics 2015"
SOURCE Coalition Priorité Cancer au Québec
Sylvie Piché, 514-868-2009 ext. 225, [email protected] ; www.coalitioncancer.com
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