Heart-filled Hope Support Group Activities
Created in 1988, the Heart-filled Hope Support Group is geared towards youth between 12 and 18 years of age who have cancer, their brothers and sisters, as well as bereaved siblings. The support group holds regional and interregional activities, such as winter and spring camps, Halloween parties, etc., to meet the teenagers’ need to get together with friends. Teenagers are always accompanied by nursing staff and monitors who understand the daily challenges faced by cancer patients and are always ready to help them and listen to them.
This dynamic support group is very generous with members as you will notice in the following testimonials, but you can find out more by reading Heart-filled Hope Stories..., a collection of testimonials on different aspects of their lives (family, friends, illness, school, love life, etc.), published by the support group in 2007. Highlighted with drawings by Cassandra Carola, a group member, and illustrated by Vittorio Fiorucci, a poster artist with a big heart, the collection is given to all teenagers recently diagnosed with cancer, as well as to their teen siblings, on the first visit with the family.
To join this support group or for any questions, contact the person in charge of the socio-recreational services: 514 731-3696, 1 800 361-9643 or info@leucan.qc.ca.
Check out our Calendar to find out about upcoming activities.
The Heart-filled Hope Support Group gives me...
"During the activities, each moment gave me the opportunity to get closer to my little sister. As well, from this experience, I gained a new way to look at life, hope, and courage."
Anne-Sophie, sister"The Heart-filled Hope Support Group helped me stop being scared of people who are different. Physical differences and handicaps won’t prevent me from talking to someone. On the contrary, I will go see them, because they are often alone."
Cassandra, sister"Each time I participate in the activities, I feel as if a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders."
David, brother"For me, the Heart-filled Hope Support Group is kind of like a chain of mutual support."
Émily, sister"... Excellent monitors that give us a lot of freedom and that’s something that I really appreciate, as well as the fact that they listen to our feelings and emotions."
Marc-André, diagnosed"Without the Heart-filled Hope Support Group and Leucan, I wouldn’t be who I am today—a go-getter who loves life and who lives in the moment, no matter the challenges brought on by the illness."
Marie-Josée, diagnosed"The Heart-filled Hope Support Group gave me the strength to continue fighting when times were tough."
Mathieu, diagnosed"I learned to trust adults. And I learned to talk about what I’m going through."
Maude, sister"Leucan helped me discover that though life throws us some serious curves we can still have fun, take advantage of life and of those around us who help and comfort us at all times."
Nancy, diagnosed"The death of my brother who was only 15 years old and my parents’ separation shortly afterwards—it’s difficult getting through that without the support of others, and that’s what I look for in the Heart-filled Hope Support Group."
Sébastien, brother"We confide in each other without being scared about looks and judgment. You don’t see us as patients, but as human beings. Happiness, joy, hope, friendship, and trust are but a few of the great gifts that you bring us."
Véronique, diagnosed
