Our volunteers

“My spouse has a niece who had a little girl, Marie-Ève, who was diagnosed with cancer at age 2.  She passed away at age 3.  I would sometimes accompany her mother to Sainte-Justine for her treatments and it was quite shocking for me to realize that so many children were stricken by cancer.  I could not have imagined that.  When Marie-Ève lost all of her hair, I began making her little hats.  I made her many of them, in many different colors.  After that, I said to myself that it would be a good idea to make hats for others… I am sure that the mothers stuck in the hospital with their child don’t have the time to make bonnets. 

I do a lot of knitting for the children of Leucan, as well as mittens, tuques and scarves, because as you know, children are always losing their tuques!”

Why volunteer for Leucan?

“I find that it’s important to share.  When we’re lucky enough to be healthy, we must think of those who are not healthy… And I tell myself that especially for children and teenagers, sometimes just a small gift, a day when someone gives them a little hat… I feel like it might help boost their moral, it just might appease their sadness.

To me, bringing joy and happiness reassures me.  It brings me much happiness in return.

It’s the best lottery ever, there’s no way you can lose.”

“I am a volunteer and counsellor for the Heart-filled Hope Support Group:  we organize activities for cancer-stricken children as well as their siblings between the ages of 12 and 18 years old.  Before becoming a volunteer, I participated in activities Leucan organizes for children and their families for two years, since I myself was stricken with cancer.

Upon my first contact with Leucan, I wanted to become a volunteer.  It was very important to me because of what my family went through and the support given by Leucan during my treatments. 

In addition to this, last year I completed my nursing courses, so it is now my honour to be a part of the medical team during our activities.  In fact, a medically trained person is needed at all Leucan activities, should the need for medical intervention arise.

I’m someone who likes to get involved and help those in need; this is why I chose my career in nursing and the reason that I volunteer.  I see the difference Leucan makes in the lives of cancer-stricken children and their families.  Leucan allows me to make a difference.  That’s something that I deeply value.”

Why volunteer for Leucan?

“While receiving treatment, I was very limited in the type of activities that I was able to do.  When you spend every other week at the hospital, you lose some of your freedom.  Also, cancer-stricken children are immuno-depressed and cannot be in crowded places. 

Leucan always finds a way to keep us busy, amused and happy even when this seems impossible.  That is not an easy feat to accomplish and I am honoured to be amongst those who bring so much happiness to the Leucan families.

These days, everyone is at risk of developing cancer.  Unfortunately, there are few resources available at the pediatric level.  As Leucan is the Association that encompasses all cancer-stricken children, it will greatly benefit from every person who gets involved in the cause.”

 “I began volunteering for Leucan in March 2004, a little more than a year after my godson died of Leukemia.  It was very quick.  He was admitted to hospital on December 16 and passed away on the 27^th.  My godson was my cousin, so I began participating in activities for bereaved families with his sister, also my cousin.  That’s how I came to know Leucan.

When I began, I mostly babysat at the hospital.  Then, over the next six years, I continued to volunteer but more sporadically: activities like the Christmas Party and some fundraising activities.  I also started volunteering in family activities, and got involved with the Leucan Shaved Head Challenge.

Generally, what I enjoy most are activities that involve the families.  I like spending time with them and since I have been volunteering for many years, some families even recognize me.  I can chat with them and play with the children!”

Why volunteer for Leucan?

“…Because it is very fulfilling, both in heart and soul.

Leucan is like a big family.  Everyone is welcome; regardless of who you are, where you’re from, your age or what you do for a living…  To volunteer for Leucan means being with people who are genuinely generous, all the while doing things that are fun.”

“When I retired, I was 63 years old. I couldn’t stop just like that, I had to do something. So I quit working and I signed up to Leucan, I did the short training they offer and I started. I didn’t just do the babysitting, at first, I worked in the office near Sainte-Justine Hospital. I did office work for a year and a half, but then I didn’t want to do it anymore; I had worked in an office my entire life. I said, “I want to be with the children”. I started in the playroom, in the outpatient clinic, and then after that, I said “I want to be in the room with them”. I really loved these years. That is how I progressed with Leucan. It’s an accomplishment. We are happy to do it and at the same time, we feel useful. And that’s a lot.”

Why volunteer at Leucan?

“There is a selfish aspect to it, I find, because we are satisfied with ourselves. The satisfaction goes both ways. We are happy to help people, parents, children who are sick, we develop an attachment. And it’s satisfying. When I spend a good 3 hours with children, I take my car and say to myself, “I did something good”. I felt good I did it. And we really help the parents with the respite we give them. They are so grateful. They were even surprised sometimes: “Oh? You do that? You like it? – Of course – Oh, it helps us so much!”

Since 1997, Mrs. Carmelle Dion has been offering her time generously to volunteer at Leucan.

‘’ In 89, my daughter got diagnosed with leukemia. Thankfully, today, everything is fine. When I have the chance to tell my story and share how I’ve overcome this challenge and how my daughter is doing today, it makes me happy.

28 years ago, my doctor told me ‘’you’ll see, this experience will make you grow as a person’’. I assure you, he was right. I had to overcome this sickness and after that, volunteering helped me become more comfortable in public, go knock on doors, ask for services… it brought me a lot. ’’

Why volunteer for Leucan?

‘’We do it to help others, to keep busy, but we also get something out of it. We are enriched by this experience. We are proud of ourselves and at the same time, we meet people, we talk. It’s very important to me. If it wasn’t that pleasant, there wouldn’t be that many people volunteering.’’

G : For me, it started in 1997. I was in high school and through a program at school, we had to choose an organization where we would volunteer. I chose Leucan. After high school, I loved my experience so much I decided to keep going. I would sometimes do it with my friends, sometimes with my dad, I thought it was a great organization that worked well. I loved it. I have never stopped since.

N: For me, it started when I met Guillaume who was volunteering at Leucan. I had heard of Leucan before, but I did not know them well. We started going out and I would see him leave to go volunteer for a day. So I told myself I would go as well, to see what it was. And that’s how we started volunteering together.

WHY VOLUNTEER AT LEUCAN?

G: Volunteering as a couple takes us out of our routine and it makes us meet new people. I find it helps us bond. During the day, we meet new people, we make new friends, we solve problems and we have fun working in collaboration with everyone.

What I like about volunteering, is doing the same activities over time and seeing the project managers relieved when they see us, because they know that this volunteer is good with this activity and he can coach the new volunteers, and that volunteer works in that department and knows the usual problems that could happen. They are so relieved when we arrive. It is very flattering. We really make their day when we get there at 7:00 a.m. in the morning.

N: In order for the activities of Leucan to be a success, volunteers are essential. Each volunteer has its importance. At the end of the day, we see what we have accomplished, often small actions, but we feel we made a difference. It’s really a beautiful organization. And the cause is so worth it.

When I started, I offered my services as a photographer. François (my husband) is always there for the activities, the Leucan-CSN Summer Camp, some Leucan Shaved Head Challenge, my children are here with us too for some activities. The last one was at the sugar shack, my oldest daughter was Camie, the mascot. My son, who is eleven, was the first to say “If they need someone to pick up stuff, I’ll go.” He wanted to come volunteer too. We do this as a family.

I have been volunteering for five years at the respite weekend for families of children who have received a diagnosis during that year. We hosted them at Château Beauvallon in Tremblant, we organised a treasure hunt and we experience precious moments of proximity with these families, all while trying to entertain them at the same time. I feel I get a lot back from this. It’s exhausting, because we give a lot, but I appreciate it every year.

Why volunteer at Leucan?

What gets me is that when a child is sick, it affects the whole family. I have four children. When Audrey got sick, the others were affected too. The fact that I include them and consider them fully and that they get as much privilege as the sick one, I believe it’s important. Family is an important value to me. Leucan has the same values as me. I think it may be for that reason that I continue to give time for this cause.

The first Leucan Shaved Head Challenge we did in Mauricie was spectacular, because it was our first one and we witnessed all the emotions. Seeing people come and make a gesture was quite something. That first year, I was a participant as well as a volunteer. It’s a gesture that goes way further than just sharing your expertise or helping out an organisation, it was a sincere gift of self.

There is also a lot of happiness we experience with the families and the organization. The Leucan Ski Challenge, the sugar shack, it’s really enjoyable to be a part of anything festive that brings people happiness. In Mauricie, we feel even closer because it’s often people we know and because Trois-Rivières is such a small community, relationships develop easily and everyone participates with one goal in mind: give someone a little bit of happiness.

WHY VOLUNTEER AT LEUCAN?

It’s really nice to be able to contribute to something, to feel proud, and most of all, to get a sense of accomplishment. It’s the most beautiful thing you can do. Instead of being a spectator, you contribute.

What’s important to me, before giving for almost 15 years, is to trust the organization and working with this group is a treat because you know it’s a true feeling and it’s authentic. The team makes all the difference. If it weren’t for the team, we wouldn’t volunteer.