Author: The Record
Published November 28, 2024

Photo by William Crooks
Champlain College-Lennoxville representatives and guests smile with the $8,000 cheque raised for sarcoma research, celebrating the community’s collective effort

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Champlain College-Lennoxville celebrated a major fundraising milestone on Nov. 28, raising $8,000 for the Sarcoma Research Consortium of Quebec (SaRC-Q) through its annual Pink Games. The initiative, led by the college’s athletics department and student association, brought the Lennoxville community together for a cause close to home.

“We exceeded all expectations,” said Jean-François Joncas, Dean of Student Services, who opened the event held on site by acknowledging the collective effort. “This achievement reflects the strength of our community.” Joncas highlighted the collaboration between Champlain’s students, staff, and alumni, who played vital roles in surpassing last year’s total of $4,025.

The Pink Games, held throughout the fall semester, involved athletes from all sports teams donning pink jerseys and participating in events to raise awareness and funds. Merchandise sales, particularly at campus events like the Lennoxville fall market, were a significant source of revenue.

Devon Stewart, Champlain’s Athletic Director, detailed the inspiration behind this year’s choice of beneficiary. “We wanted to give back to our Cougar family,” he explained. Stewart shared the story of Adam, a former Cougar battling sarcoma, which influenced the decision to direct funds toward sarcoma research. Stewart set the ambitious goal of doubling last year’s total. “This was about supporting one of our own and making an impact in a neglected area of cancer research,” he said.

Dr. Patrick Wang, a Champlain alumnus and orthopedic oncologist at SaRC-Q, received the cheque on behalf of the organization. Reflecting on his journey from Champlain’s health sciences program to his current work, Wang credited in a conversation after the event the college for sparking his passion. “Champlain shaped my approach to medicine,” he said. “It’s surreal to return here as both a recipient and advocate.”

Wang emphasized the importance of SaRC-Q’s work, explaining that sarcomas, a rare form of cancer, comprise less than 1 per cent of all cases. “Because they’re so uncommon, advancements in treatment lag behind other cancers,” he noted. Sarcomas often go unnoticed until advanced stages. “A lot of times, sarcomas don’t cause pain initially. By the time patients notice a mass, it’s often already large, and metastasis may have begun.”

The funds raised will support research into innovative therapies, including immunotherapy, which uses the body’s immune system to target cancer cells. “The future of sarcoma care lies in systemic treatments that target lingering cancer cells after surgical removal,” Wang explained. He emphasized the potential of combining robust data from SaRC-Q’s research with advanced treatment methods to improve survival rates.

Wang also highlighted a shift in public perception of cancer. “People often think of cancer as a death sentence, but that’s no longer true for many cases,” he said, citing survival rates of up to 80 per cent in localized sarcoma cases. “The key is early detection and intervention.”

Valérie Papillon, President of the Champlain Students’ Association (CSA), also spoke at the event. She described her initial skepticism about the goal of raising $8,000. “When our general manager proposed doubling last year’s total, I thought it was impossible,” Papillon admitted. “But the enthusiasm from athletes, families, and community members proved me wrong.”

The press conference concluded with expressions of gratitude from Wang to everyone involved. “This initiative will resonate far beyond Champlain,” he said. “It’s about hope, progress, and community.” Wang emphasized that the donation marks a step forward in addressing gaps in sarcoma treatment and ensuring patients have access to better outcomes in the future.

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