October 1 saw the return of the D’art et d’espoir concert-exhibit. This benefit event is the brainchild of patient Robert Marcel Lepage and his surgeon Frank Schwenter, who realized they could put Lepage’s talents as an artist, composer and cartoonist and Schwenter’s skills on the cello to good use in the fight against digestive cancer.
Art for the benefit of health
Nearly 200 guests showed up for the third-ever edition of this event, which uses art to benefit health. The evening featured a moving recital performed by Frank Schwenter on the cello and Claire Ouellet on the piano, and an exhibit of drawings by Robert Marcel Lepage depicting his emotions throughout his journey battling cancer.
Colorectal cancer accounts for approximately 12% of all new cancer diagnoses in Canada, making it the third most common cancer in the country. Better funding for screening and research programs is key to helping fight colorectal cancer—that’s why the concert‑exhibit organized by Dr. Schwenter and Mr. Lepage offers so much hope to patients with digestive cancer.
