On behalf of her and my whole family, thank you in advance.
Dr Guy Breton, Rector emeritus of the Université de Montréal and Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) Foundation donor
Letter from Dr. Guy Breton about his beloved Andrée
Hello,
My name is Guy Breton. I was a doctor at the CHUM for 30 years and the Rector of the Université de Montréal from 2010 to 2020. Today, I’d like to share with you the story of the long, hard illness of my beloved Andrée—Andrée Despins, my wife for over 45 years.
In July 2000, Andrée was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. At the CHUM, she was seen quickly and efficiently, then evaluated and operated on. She underwent chemotherapy and radiation therapy as part of a research protocol that she agreed to participate in. She went into remission—a time full of worries, but a comfortable one.
In 2007, she developed a different type of cancer in her breast. Once again, the CHUM gave her impeccable care, even though her treatments brought their share of unknowns, unpleasant surprises and discomfort. The years passed relatively smoothly, until a lymphedema (a swelling) appeared in one arm after a lymph node dissection. This is a known complication of surgery, but it is uncomfortable and there are no really effective treatments for it. Andrée and her doctor agreed that she would stop taking medication.
In 2018, the lymphedema gave way to cellulitis, a serious infection. Her life was in danger for several days, and the cellulitis returned three times over the years that followed. In late 2018, the cancer spread to her liver and thorax, bringing an end to her long periods of remission. With support from the teams at the CHUM, she bravely underwent new treatments. She tolerated them well, and they won her another three and a half years of enjoying life.
After the unpredictable ups and downs of her almost 22-year journey with cancer, she passed away peacefully in my arms, at the end of a short stay on the CHUM’s palliative care unit.
Throughout all the long years of treatment, Andrée never lost her smile or the hope that she could continue to enjoy her life. She defied the grim statistics many times over. She had a strong, clear-eyed belief in the potential of research, in her care teams and in the power of her own inner strength.
I will forever remember my beautiful Andrée as someone who, over and above her own suffering and worries, wanted even better care for breast cancer patients. As a deeply compassionate woman who believed with all her heart that research made a vast difference in treating her breast cancer. As a woman who believed that we should do everything in our power to promote research.
It’s no surprise that Andrée gave a legacy gift for breast cancer research at the CHUM. I’ve supported it by doubling her donation.
All of us, like her, should give what we can—be it small or large—to support this innovative research that brings so much hope. New avenues of research stand before us, within our grasp.
Philanthropy isn’t just for the rich, for huge companies or major foundations. Philanthropy is everyone’s responsibility, because life and health are everyone’s responsibility.
Let Andrée inspire you. Together, we can help patients receive better care throughout their entire illness if all of us give what we can to support research.
There you have it: the story of my beloved Andrée’s hope and determination.
Want to learn more?
The CHUM Foundation has a specialized team that’s ready to help you discuss your options confidentially and with no commitment. Call our planned giving team at 514-444-8186 or email donsplanifies@fondationduchum.com to learn more.
