Sometimes, it's a challenge to demonstrate or even measure the importance of basic research which lies at the root of all new therapies. The relentless work of scientists, in their labs, to decode the mystery of cells and the deep mechanisms underlying the most vicious diseases plaguing humanity, is often misunderstood or poorly understood.
But, if you talk to Chantal Sylvestre, you will find that this prominent lawyer fully appreciates how science saves lives - those of yesterday and today, but also those of tomorrow's patients. In five, ten- or fifteen-years’ time, we can hope to cure forms of cancer that are currently incurable. All thanks to potential discoveries that will only come to fruition if science is funded.
A long-standing philanthropist for causes close to her heart, Ms. Sylvestre has chosen to lend her concrete support to the IRCM, whose fruitful and long-term work appeals to her. Very much so.
Indeed, Ms. Sylvestre, a partner at Dentons Canada LLP, an international law firm, generously met the IRCM Foundation and visited Dr. Jean-François Côté's laboratory. What she saw there and what the researchers showed her not only greatly interested her, but also raised her hopes that one day certain aggressive breast cancers will be definitively cured.
“I've already had to deal with health problems up close. [...]. What a pleasant and immense surprise to learn that Dr. Côté's research focuses exactly on the type of cancer that concerns me. [...] The Foundation welcomed me warmly, even offering me the opportunity to meet Dr. Côté and his team, along with my 14-year-old daughter.’’
As you may know, Dr. Côté's laboratory has an ultimate goal which is a real obsession one might say, but a vital one: that of understanding the molecular mechanisms that enable cancer cells to metastasize, especialy with regard to certain forms of breast cancer that are particularly virulent and resistant to treatment. This is the kind of cancer for which one cannot claim victory after five years without a recurrence, and which is still preventing the overall survival rate from improving, despite all the efforts on multiple research fronts. In recent years, the Côté lab has published major works that went round the world, and more is to come. All the more reasons to be hopeful.
Ms.Sylvestre feels that by supporting the research of Dr. Côté and his talented team, she is doing something worthwhile and betting on the future.
“Knowing that research is continuing and progressing gives me hope that more lives can be saved. By making a donation to the IRCM Foundation, I can contribute, in my own way, to the advancement of science. The fact that an institute like the IRCM, here in Montreal, is involved in research into a disease that affects about one in eight Canadians is both essential and precious.’’
