Testimonials and kind words
Inspiring Stories
At Sacré-Cœur, Albert-Prévost, and Rivière-des-Prairies, there are experts who care for people with immense compassion. The care teams transform lives through their knowledge, creativity, passion, and, above all, their big hearts.
They will tell you how essential your donations are for research and for providing them with equipment that helps them work faster, more accurately, and more precisely. Some of these professionals even shared their point of view with us. But it is through the words of patients that we can truly witness the humanity these teams bring to their expertise—and the importance of your contributions.
Patients and donors have generously agreed to share their heartfelt gratitude and tell us their stories. These individuals have received excellent care, witnessed the compassion of doctors and care teams, or contributed to our mission in extraordinary ways. Each story is unique and deeply moving.
Here are a few stories
Dr. Thanh-Lan Ngô: Paving the Way for More Accessible Mental Health Care
Outside of her practice as a psychiatrist at the Albert-Prévost Mental Health Hospital and associate clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Montreal, Dr. Thanh-Lan Ngô works with her team to develop resources that make mental health knowledge and care more accessible to all.
Dr. Alexios Hadjis: A Creative Approach Driving Innovation in Cardiac Arrhythmia Care
Dr. Alexios Hadjis, a cardiac electrophysiologist and Chief of the Electrophysiology Division at Sacré-Cœur Hospital in Montreal, is one of the few Canadian specialists in complex ventricular arrhythmias. He has dedicated his career to advancing treatments for cardiac arrhythmias in order to offer new options to patients.
Sylvio Fortin and Gisèle Lanouette: Commitment in the Wake of Upheaval
In August 2025, Ms. Gisèle Lanouette suffered a severe traumatic brain injury that led to her being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Montreal Sacré-Coeur Hospital. Deeply grateful for the exceptional care she received, her husband, Mr. Sylvio Fortin, chose to invite family and friends to make a donation to the Montreal Sacré-Coeur Hospital Foundation during a dinner he organized at a restaurant to celebrate both his wife’s 70th birthday and her recovery.
Dr. Jean-Paul Makhzoum: At the Forefront of Innovation in Vasculitis Care
Dr. Jean Paul Makhzoum, a physician at Sacré Cœur for nearly 10 years, specializes in vasculitis, a rare and complex disease requiring highly specialized care. Through his clinical practice and research, he contributes to the evolution of medical approaches by developing faster, more accessible, and less invasive tools.
Sara Marcotte and Ricky Sharma: The Importance of Being Well Supported in Life’s Most Difficult Moments
Sara Marcotte and Ricky Sharma's world was shattered when they learned that their baby daughter Lily-Rose’s heart had stopped beating in her mother’s womb at 39 weeks of pregnancy. Today, Lily-Rose’s memory continues to shine through the fundraising initiative the couple established to provide the department with equipment that enhances care, as well as resources to support families facing the ordeal of perinatal loss.
Richard Leclair enjoys a second chance after a life-changing ordeal
Mr. Richard Leclair had been suffering from back pain for years. In 2024, doctors discovered the cause: a tumor compressing his spinal cord. He was immediately transferred to Sacré-Coeur Hospital for treatment.
Robert Arcand shares a deeply moving testimony
On February 2, 2024, Mr. Robert Arcand suffered a heart attack that brought him to Sacré-Coeur Hospital and required two heart surgeries for his recovery. His time at the hospital completely changed his perspective on the hospital environment, and he is immensely grateful to the healthcare teams who cared for him for 33 days.
Dr. Bellemare perfectly embodies our campaign
Dr. Patrick Bellemare, a pulmonologist-intensivist, associate assistant medical chief of intensive care, and medical educator, has been devoting heart and soul to every patient for 27 years. Practicing at Sacré-Coeur since 1999, he and his team have faced countless human tragedies and transformed them, one by one, into small and great miracles.
Éric Boyer
“Each day I feel lucky to be alive”
After a serious alpine skiing accident, Mr. Éric Boyer was admitted to the intensive care unit at Sacré-Coeur Hospital, where the medical teams saved his life. Seven years later, Mr. Boyer remains deeply grateful for the excellent care he received and he has become a true example of resilience. He now makes it his mission to help others who, like him, have suffered a neurological injury.
Line Ritchie and Guy Brossard
A union of compassion and generosity
Mr. Brossard and Ms. Ritchie chose to turn their wedding into a celebration to support children living with mental health challenges. The couple used this special occasion to raise donations for the “Les Petits Trésors” Child Psychiatry Fund. A resounding success!
Cédric Bolduc organizes a trail run to give back
Cédric Bolduc, an elite runner, has relied on Sacré-Cœur experts several times—especially to continue practicing his favorite sport. He founded the “Sentier de l’espoir,” a trail running event, to raise funds for Sacré-Cœur’s Orthopedics Department.
Élianne Parent
A woman with great courage and determination
On the evening of her 18th birthday, Élianne Parent suffered a severe traumatic brain injury in a car accident. Eighteen years later, she shaved her head to give back to the hospital and its trauma teams—without whom she would not have survived or been able to share her story today.
Say thank you by letting us know how you feel
Have you been to Sacré-Cœur recently? Was a loved one well cared for? Have you been a donor for several years? Do you have a good story to tell?
We invite you to send a message to marie.grenon.cnmtl@ssss.gouv.qc.ca.
Your story has a good chance of being published in this section of our website or in our Liaison newsletter. We look forward to hearing from you!