My name is Laurie Malenfant. I was born on April 28, 2009, and died on July 5 of the same year at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. Despite my arduous battle and all the treatments and procedures that were humanly possible, my numerous health problems eventually won out. With each day, I had more and more complications, including esophageal fissures, intestinal obstruction, enlarged heart, pneumothorax and chronic pulmonary distress. I was fed through a tube as I was unable to nurse. Even though my breathing was mechanically assisted, pauses in my breathing became increasingly frequent and prolonged. The effects of a …

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In this edition of Doc Talk, we bring you a snapshot of Dr. Claire LeBlanc, Pediatric Rheumatologist and Sport Medicine Physician. Dr. LeBlanc is head of the MCH Rheumatology Department and is a tireless proponent of healthy living in childhood. Why pediatrics? I knew very early on as a first-year medical student that I wanted to specialize in pediatrics because I really enjoy working with kids. I had lots of experience with children through recreational and sports programs. What attracted you to further specialize in the areas of rheumatology and sport medicine?  My interest in sport medicine came about in …

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Would you like to send Holiday cards and help sick kids at the same time? You can with cards from the Auxiliary of the Montreal Children’s Hospital. For only $ 1.30, you or your company can give beautiful hand-made cards by artist Nicole Laporte to your friends and family while helping young patients at The Children’s. To view the cards or to place an order, please click here.  The deadline to order the cards is December 6th.  For other information, please call 514-422-4400 ext 22384 or write to lucette.bennett@muhc.mcgill.ca

Many years ago my younger brother was diagnosed with extra-osseous Ewing’s Sarcoma and required treatment at the Montreal Children’s Hospital Oncology Department, beginning a period of challenges and struggles that no person should ever have to face.  To say that I did not deal well with the situation would be an understatement. I know it’s an obvious reaction to be upset when one’s sibling is ill but I really struggled to come to terms with it and spend time with him while he was in hospital. Thankfully he had a successful outcome and has gone on to lead a very …

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I always thought of myself as a donor and fundraiser for The Montreal Children’s Hospital.  In honor of my daughter Dara and The Dara Meaghan Korne Fund for the benefit of the Hematology/Oncology Department, we organize an annual fundraising drive.  In just 8 years, we have raised in excess of $265,000, our sole conduit being an annual inspiring and moving fundraising letter mailed to 125 of our closest friends, family and business associates.   We have been a strong supporter of Dr. Blair Whittemore, the interim Director of the Department and these fundraising drives have allowed for the purchase of …

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