Sudbury Family Raising Funds for Brain Tumour Research in Honour of Lost Husband, Father and Community Leader

June 8, 2011

(Sudbury, ON, May 17) Lise Renaud is no stranger to life’s complexities as the mother of four children, grandmother to three and life-long supporter to her husband Justice Yvon Renaud. The close-knit family moved to Sudbury following Yvon’s 2001 appointment to the bench of the Ontario Court of Justice. Then in 2009, in the couple’s 33rd year of marriage, Yvon was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme Grade Four brain tumour. It’s her love for the man who was so much a part of her life that Lise, along with her family, friends, are supporting the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada’s 2011 Spring Sprint event on Sunday, June 12.

The family’s journey began while Yvon was in was in Ottawa helping Jean-François get set-up for his first year of university. He began experiencing pain in his right forearm but put it off to muscle pain. Not long after this other disconcerting symptoms presented themselves: difficulty holding tools correctly and the inability to type his name when he could normally type up to 60 words per minute. While a stroke was suspected, a CT scan revealed the unexpected news of a brain tumour. Within 48 hours he was in surgery. “Everybody was shocked and surprised. We had no warning, no signs and no symptoms that this would be the cause. We were shocked,” recalls Lise.

Yvon was a runner and recovered from this first surgery very well, starting radiation and chemotherapy in the fall of 2009. He tolerated the treatments very well and even kept exercising. He was determined to win this battle, returning to work in February 2010. In May the symptoms began re-occurring. They did a second surgery in May to remove necrotic tissue that formed as a result of the radiation treatments. They did find a few cancer cells but remained optimistic.

In October the family learned the tumour had spread to the lower left side of his brain. The doctor said a third operation could offer more time for the family to be together. Yvon always said he did not want to be a statistic; he was a survivor – so on October 21, 2010 he had his third surgery. Sadly Yvon never woke up. He passed away on December 11, 2010, one day before his birthday, he was 56.

“It’s been very difficult and I miss him terribly. We used to do all sorts of things together. It’s quite a challenge because I had to come home to an empty house,” says Lise. “It sends you spinning for a while. To this day I still wake up hoping this nightmare will go away.”

While this past year has been difficult, Lise is grateful for the support she’s received from Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. “When Yvon had the first surgery at the Civic Hospital in Ottawa one of the nurses came by and handed us the organization’s Patient Resource Handbook,” says Lise. “I wish nobody had to go through this. It’s just so unforgivable. I think you have to reach out to those who can support you because I don’t know how anyone could do this without that support.”

She hopes others will join her and her family in supporting Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada’s efforts for research towards a cure as well as in raising awareness. “I’m very grateful that people answered our call for donations when Yvon passed away,” says Lise. “For me personally, I can help support in this way because I believe in the cause. I think it’s important to get involved in any way you can.”

The Sudbury Spring Sprint, Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada’s national fundraising walkathon program, features 2.5 and 5km routes for walkers, joggers and runners at College Boreal. The event is run by a dedicated group of local volunteers who are determined to improve the lives of those affected by a brain tumour. The national goal this year is to raise $1.5 million to fund research into the cause and better treatments for brain tumours. This includes research being conducted across Canada including at several research centres across Ontario.

The Sudbury Spring Sprint, Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada’s national fundraising walkathon program, features 2.5 and 5km routes for walkers, joggers and runners at College Boreal. The event is run by a dedicated group of local volunteers who are determined to improve the lives of those affected by a brain tumour. The national goal this year is to raise $1.5 million to fund research into the cause and better treatments for brain tumours. This includes research being conducted across Canada including at several research centres across Ontario.

“The prospect for all of the research that will be conducted as a result of the funds raised is very exciting,” says Susan Marshall, Executive Director of Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. “Our vision is to find a cure for brain tumours and to improve the quality of life for those affected and we all move closer to this reality with the efforts of Spring Sprint.”

Donations also support important education, information, and support for the estimated 55,000 Canadians affected by brain tumours such as: the brain tumour support group that meets monthly in Sudbury at the Radisson Hotel Sudbury on Ste. Anne Road; the BrainWAVE program - support for families with a child with a brain tumour; and education opportunities across Ontario and streamed online. Patient care is also improved with health care professional in-services and workshops at local treatment centres. These programs and services are run by Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada with the vision to find the cause of and cure for brain tumours while improving the quality of life for those affected.

Event: Spring Sprint for Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada
2.5km and 5km walk and run for walkers, joggers and runners.
Dates: Sunday, June 12, 2011: Check-in: 10:00 a.m. & Start: 11:00 a.m.
Location: College Boreal
Register: www.springsprint.ca or 1 800 265 5106


For more information contact:
Megan Winkler
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada
Phone: 1-800-265-5106 x 232
Cell: 519-494-7076
Email: mwinkler@braintumour.ca
Website: www.braintumour.ca

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Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada

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