The Association du cancer de l’Est du Québec: Together for your well-being
Our commitment to people affected by cancer and their loved ones
We are committed to the well-being of people affected by cancer in the communities of the Bas-Saint-Laurent, Côte-Nord, Gaspésie, and the Îles-de-la-Madeleine. This is why we work hard to give a personal, human touch to services for people with cancer and their loved ones, to raise awareness of the risks of cancer, and support the fight against cancer.
Support, help, do good. To improve the lives of people with cancer and their loved ones. Our volunteers, donors, partners and employees have been carrying our mission of hope with love and conviction since 1982. Thanks to their dedication and generosity, we can offer services to help people with cancer and their loved ones feel better, physically and psychologically, throughout Eastern Quebec.
A vision for services in Eastern Quebec
We develop support services for people with cancer and their loved ones. We provide them with services and activities that respond to their needs, in their communities, to significantly improve their well-being. As such, we endeavour to make the Association known as a community organization of the highest quality for people with cancer and their loved ones in the vast territory of Eastern Quebec.
Providing support with human values
The values that guide our actions every day help to bring a personalized, human touch to the services for people with cancer, and their loved ones. We provide our services with respect, commitment and camaraderie. We continuously strive for excellence and innovation in our approach. We want to always improve our response to the realities of people with cancer. We are forever grateful for the essential contributions of our generous and loyal volunteers and donors.
Support, help, and do good for the well-being of people with cancer and that of their loved ones: that’s our raison d’être.
A history of solidarity towards people affected by cancer and their loved ones.
régionale
en effervescence
déterminantes
L’Association du cancer de l’Est du Québec
1981-1994
Maintaining access to chemotherapy in the region
In 1981, a group of people with cancer, members of their families and Dr. Georges Levesque joined together to stop the imminent closure of the chemotherapy service of the Saint-Joseph Hospital in Rimouski. They managed to save this essential service for the region.
Their victory allows the population of Eastern Quebec access specialized services in the region and encourages many health professionals to settle in Rimouski. The group’s initiative has had a significant impact on the development of other hospital services, notably the laboratories.
Forming l’Association du cancer de l’Est du Québec
Saving the hemato-oncology department in Rimouski gave rise, in 1982, to the creation of the Association du cancer de l’Est du Québec. Its goal: to champion the interests of people with cancer and their loved ones. It also aimed to and still does, ensure that the most comprehensive services and those best adapted to the needs of the community are offered in the Bas-Saint-Laurent, Côte-Nord, Gaspésie, and Îles-de-la-Madeleine.
Obtaining radiation oncology in Rimouski
In 1991, after three years of campaigning, the Rimouski regional hospital received approval from the Ministry to establish a Radiation Oncology Department, the first outside of Quebec City and Montreal.
Before there were radiation oncology services in Rimouski, some citizens refused treatment to avoid travelling outside the region. Others opted for much more invasive procedures so they could stay close to their loved ones. This shows how important the commitment of the Association du cancer de l’Est du Québec is to the well-being of people living with the disease in the region.
Radiation oncology has attracted a number of health professionals to the region. It has also fostered the establishment or growth of numerous other specialized services, particularly in radiology and nuclear medicine.
Developing clinical cancer research in Eastern Quebec
Since 1994, the Association du cancer de l’Est du Québec has worked to develop the research potential of Eastern Quebec with the involvement of oncologists from the Rimouski regional hospital. The association helps to drive clinical cancer research in the region.
L’Association du cancer de l’Est du Québec
1992-1996
Building Hope: a campaign to build the Hôtellerie
The Association du cancer de l’Est du Québec quickly took on building accommodation for people receiving specialized oncology services without being hospitalized, and their close family members. In 1992 the Association launched the biggest funding initiative seen in Eastern Québec: The Building Hope campaign. The campaign raised an unprecedented $4 million for the Hôtellerie’s construction.
L’Hôtellerie Omer-Brazeau, accommodation for people affected cancer
The Association du cancer de l’Est du Québec team created an innovative concept to host people affected by cancer: The Hôtellerie Omer-Brazeau. It opened in 1995. The Association still manages the Hôtellerie where we welcome and provide accommodation for people from throughout the Bas-Saint-Laurent, Côte-Nord, Gaspésie and Îles-de-la-Madeleine regions.
The Hôtellerie Omer-Brazeau now houses a multitude of services to help people with cancer, and their loved ones, feel better physically and psychologically. Furthermore, we now welcome and provide accommodation for anyone who needs to stay in Rimouski for treatment or medical monitoring, whether or not this is linked to cancer.
Mr. Omer Brazeau, who gave his name to the Hôtellerie, chaired the Association du cancer de l’Est du Québec for almost 12 years, until May 2000. Mr. Brazeau was a tireless volunteer, driven by visionary determination to improve the quality of life and services for people with cancer and their loved ones throughout Eastern Quebec. He was a key player in the Building Hope campaign. In January 2000, he was awarded the Order of Canada for his commitment to this cause and the development of many of the Association’s services. This high honour recognizes a lifetime of work, merit and service to the community. Mr. Brazeau passed away on March 20, 2005.
Friperie de l’Est, to make a donation
In 1996, the Association du cancer de l’Est du Québec engendered the creation of the Friperie de l’Est, a thriving social economy business. Everyone who donates reusable goods to the Friperie de l’Est helps to fund the Association du cancer de l’Est de Québec. These donations allow the Association to operate the Hôtellerie Omer-Brazeau and to continue offering services for the well-being of people affected by cancer in Eastern Quebec.
L’Association du cancer de l’Est du Québec
1994-2017
Working for clinical cancer and oncology research
Beginning in 1994 and with the help of oncologists from the Rimouski regional hospital, the Association has been working to develop the cancer research potential of Eastern Quebec. The CRBM (a marine biotechnology research centre opened in 2004) is an economic and scientific lever for the region. The Association du cancer de l’Est du Québec instigated and co-founded the CRBM with UQAR (the University of Quebec in Rimouski) and its ocean sciences institute.
The Association’s leadership and vision have enabled the emergence of promising oncology research while supporting the sustainable development of Eastern Quebec in a very real way.
Working for the well-being of people affected by cancer
In 2013, the Association du cancer de l’Est du Québec launched a project to better meet the needs of people dealing with cancer by offering them a space designed for activities that contribute to their physical and psychological well-being. Built at a cost of $ 900,000, the Cendrine and Philippe Wellness Center was opened in Rimouski in September 2014.
There we offer a wide range of group activities, such as yoga or gentle physical exercise, as well as informational workshops on a variety of topics. Located in the annex of the Hôtellerie Omer-Brazeau, the Cendrine and Philippe Wellness Center is for anyone affected by cancer, whether they have the disease or one of their loved ones does, whether they are staying at the Hôtellerie or living nearby.
On the second floor, people affected by cancer can relax on a specially designed outdoor terrace that invites you to relax and reflect. This peaceful terrace has been designed to promote the well-being of everyone affected by the disease, both cancer patients and their loved ones.
Forming a partnership to better support people affected by cancer
In 2017, the Association du cancer de l’Est du Québec and the Quebec Cancer Foundation joined forces. This bold partnership between two independent organizations working for the well-being of people affected by cancer optimizes the support we provide.
The synergy of the Association’s and the Foundation’s services means we share visibility, refer people affected by cancer to the most appropriate service in one or other organization, and develop their services in collaboration, without doubling the funds and the work needed for this. The creation of this partnership gives rise to a broader range of services for people with cancer and their loved ones in Quebec.
The Association du cancer de l’Est du Québec recalled the support and advice we received from the Quebec Cancer Foundation while developing the project for the Hôtellerie Omer-Brazeau. In 2015, the two organizations collaborated by taking part in a study into the needs of people living with cancer and those of their loved ones; our partnership stems from this investigation.
United by solidarity for people affected by cancer
The Association du cancer de l’Est du Québec and the Quebec Cancer Foundation are united by their solidarity for people with cancer and their loved ones. Together, we are committed to supporting the community with sensitivity and a personal touch, to improve our ways of doing things and to advocate on behalf of those affected by cancer to local, regional and provincial bodies.
