News
IRIC Great Challenges against Cancer Fund, an initiative of Dr. Robert Patenaude
Published on April 30, 2019
A leukemia survivor and aware of the importance of fundamental research in the fight against the disease, Robert Patenaude founded the IRIC Great Challenges against Cancer.
While a medical student at the Université de Montréal, he was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, an incurable cancer at the time. He was given just a few months to live. Dr. Claude Perreault, Principal Investigator at IRIC, offered him a treatment in its experimental stage that eventually cured him. Robert Patenaude is now an emergency physician at the Honoré-Mercier Hospital in Saint-Hyacinthe.
After receiving one of the first bone marrow transplants in Canada, Dr. Patenaude devoted himself to supporting research against the disease through sporting endeavours. For 10 years, hundreds of runners and cyclists have answered his call and rallied to support the cause by taking part in the IRIC Great Challenges Against Cancer. Since it was created, the event has contributed to supporting the Institute’s research efforts to the tune of $2,000,000.
Once again this year, you too can encourage the Institute’s research efforts by taking part in the Défis du Parc de Shawinigan from September 6 to 8, 2019. Upon registration, you will have an opportunity to make a donation to IRIC and thus contribute to supporting research.
