Amanda’s Live, laugh and learn Fund - 38 television sets in the CHUM’s chemotherapy rooms

Montreal, July 08, 2008 – Thanks to the initiative of a young patient of the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM), 38 television sets have been installed in the chemotherapy rooms of the Hôpital Notre-Dame, in conjunction with the CHUM’s Foundation.

The idea came to Amanda Dawn Sculnick, a young woman of 22, when she herself was undergoing chemotherapy for a form of cancer called Hogkin’s disease. “I was lucky to receive the support of family and friends,” explained Amanda, “but this is not the case for everyone. Many patients are alone during their treatments and have nothing else to do but ponder their situation.” Last December, Amanda organized a benefit dinner and an auction that brought in $80 000 for the purpose of equipping each chemotherapy chair with a television set.

“What is special about this initiative,” said Ékram Antoine Rabbat, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Fondation du CHUM, “is that it was the brainchild of a patient who was still undergoing treatments herself and who chose to take action to improve the situation of other patients. This is why we are very happy to help Amanda achieve her goal and we salute her courage.”

Today, Amanda has completed her treatments, is doing well and faces the future with confidence. She is getting ready to leave for a year of studying overseas, but she continues to be concerned about the well-being of the patients she got to know during the long months of treatment. To keep helping them, she created the Live, laugh & learn Fund. Those who wish to contribute to her cause can contact the Fondation du CHUM, 514 890-8077, ext. 35205.

http://livelaughlearnfund.com/site/

About the Foundation

The Fondation du CHUM was founded in 1998. Its mission is to raise funds to complement the CHUM’s revenue from public funds, in order to help improving patient care, purchasing the latest medical technology and supporting the CHUM’s initiatives in research, education and promotion of health. The Foundation’s earlier fund-raising campaigns have resulted in the acquisition of the first PET (Positron Emission Tomography) camera in Montreal– a camera that can detect the early onset of tumor growth, as well as other abnormal tissues.

SOURCE:
Chantal Deleuil                        
Communication & Marketing Director            
Fondation du CHUM                    
Tel.: 514 890-8077

INFORMATION:
Mariane Bouvette
Communication & Marketing Advisor            
Fondation du CHUM                    
Tél. : 514 890-8077, poste 33137