{"id":1832,"date":"2025-04-24T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fondationduchum.com\/?post_type=testimonial&p=1832"},"modified":"2025-12-16T15:36:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T20:36:00","slug":"dr-guy-breton","status":"publish","type":"testimonial","link":"https:\/\/fondationduchum.com\/en\/why-give\/your-testimonials\/dr-guy-breton\/","title":{"rendered":"Letter from Dr. Guy Breton about his beloved Andr\u00e9e"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Hello,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My name is Guy Breton. I was a doctor at the CHUM for 30 years and the Rector of the Universit\u00e9 de Montr\u00e9al from 2010 to 2020. Today, I\u2019d like to share with you the story of the long, hard illness of my beloved Andr\u00e9e\u2014Andr\u00e9e Despins, my wife for over 45 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In July 2000, Andr\u00e9e 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\u2014a time full of worries, but a comfortable one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. Andr\u00e9e and her doctor agreed that she would stop taking medication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s palliative care unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout all the long years of treatment, Andr\u00e9e 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I will forever remember my beautiful Andr\u00e9e 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no surprise that Andr\u00e9e gave a legacy gift for breast cancer research at the CHUM. I\u2019ve supported it by doubling her donation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All of us, like her, should give what we can\u2014be it small or large\u2014to support this innovative research that brings so much hope. New avenues of research stand before us, within our grasp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Philanthropy isn\u2019t just for the rich, for huge companies or major foundations. Philanthropy is everyone\u2019s responsibility, because life and health are everyone\u2019s responsibility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let Andr\u00e9e 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There you have it: the story of my beloved Andr\u00e9e\u2019s hope and determination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On behalf of her and my whole family, thank you in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Guy Breton, Rector emeritus of the Universit\u00e9 de Montr\u00e9al and Centre hospitalier de l\u2019Universit\u00e9 de Montr\u00e9al (CHUM) Foundation donor<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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