Persévérance 2009

Good day!

For the second time this year, I will participate in the sailboat race Bermuda One-Two for the benefit of the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, IRIC. As you know, it is because of research that I am alive today. In 1981, I was a medical student at the Université de Montréal when I was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia at the age of 25. Incurable at the time, the illness left me with only a few months to live. A young haematologist suggested an experimental treatment at the time: a bone marrow transplant. The doctor who offered me this treatment, Dr. Claude Perreault, is now a researcher at IRIC.

I am proud to organize this fundraiser where 100% of donations will go to cancer research at IRIC. On board my sailboat Persévérance, I will be race solo from Newport (Rhode Island) and Bermuda. This race covers a distance of 2500 km! I’m excited because this year you'll be able to follow the race live on my blog (http://blogue.iric.ca/patenaude). You can also send me your email address (robert.patenaude@ iric.ca) to follow my progress throughout the race.

I invite you to join Persévérance 2009 on behalf of all those loved ones who are fighting for their lives.

Click here for a virtual tour of IRIC in my company.

Thank you very much,

Robert Patenaude, md