Published May 31, 2024
Parc-Extension Firefighters Rally for Colleague Battling Brain Cancer

Dimitris Ilias-LJI Journalist

In Parc-Extension, the local fire station is showing remarkable solidarity as they unite to support Gabriel Thibert, a firefighter facing a severe health crisis. Diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain cancer, Thibert’s condition has deeply affected his family and colleagues.

Gabriel Thibert, 39, learned of his diagnosis in February. “Breaking the news to my family, especially my two kids, was incredibly hard,” Thibert recalled. “Emotionally, I felt paralyzed, as if I was hearing someone else’s story.” The announcement also took a heavy toll on his coworkers at the Parc-Extension fire station.

Alex Kheir, a fellow firefighter, was particularly impacted. “We suspected something was wrong after Gabriel had a seizure two weeks earlier,” Kheir said. Seeking a way to cope and support his friend, Kheir went for a run, which sparked an idea. “Gabriel had been talking about running a marathon for the past two years. I realized he might not get that chance,” Kheir explained.

In response, Kheir committed to running the Montreal marathon in September in Thibert’s honour and recruited other firefighters to join him. This initiative quickly gained momentum, with about 50 firefighters from across Quebec signing up to participate.

Kheir also launched a fundraiser with the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation to support glioblastoma research. Dr. Rhian Touyz, chief scientific officer at the MUHC Research Institute, emphasized the challenges in treating this form of cancer. “Glioblastoma is difficult to treat, and we still don’t fully understand its causes, making prevention and treatment challenging,” Dr. Touyz said. The disease affects four in 100,000 Canadians and accounts for up to 15 percent of all brain tumours. Only about five percent of patients survive five years post-diagnosis.

Despite these grim statistics, Thibert draws strength from the overwhelming support of his colleagues. “I’m fortunate to have friends like this; it’s like having a second family,” Thibert said. Kheir echoed this sentiment, praising Thibert’s resilience. “He’s been the strongest of us all through this entire ordeal,” Kheir noted. As Parc-Extension prepares for the marathon, the firefighters’ efforts highlight the power of community and hope. Their collective action not only aims to support Thibert but also to contribute to vital research that could one day improve outcomes for others facing glioblastoma.

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