$14,500 Raised in Honour of Daniel Blain to Improve Endoscopy Patient Well-Being

All of his life, Daniel Blain, a Rosemont neighbourhood Pharmacist, went that extra mile for his patients. In his Proxim pharmacy, on Bellechasse Street, he was the man with a heart of gold that everyone liked. Treated at the Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont (HMR) for pancreatic cancer, he passed away on January 7, 2017.

Touched by the loss of such a generous man, his loved ones and patients got together for a fundraising dinner to celebrate in his memory. For this special evening, a “crab dinner”, over 150 people gathered à Notre-Dame-du-Foyer school in Rosemont to support the HMR Endoscopy unit.

The benefit raised $14,500 to provide HMR Endoscopy unit exam rooms with a CO₂ respirator. This machine helps reduce the discomfort and pain that patients may experience during certain examinations of the pancreas.

For the occasion, several doctors from the Endoscopy Department were present to contribute to the fundraiser and to speak about the benefits associated with the equipment that will soon be available at the hospital. During her speech, Dr. Katherine Marchut underlined the benefits of using this machine: “Patients will no longer have to endure the discomfort caused by inflating the abdomen, which is necessary to perform an endoscopy. It is easier for the patient and, therefore, easier for the doctor.”

The wife of the deceased Daniel Blain, Estelle Laroque, thanked participants for their presence and committed to pursuing her efforts to facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer. Thanks to their commitment and generosity, Daniel Blain’s family and friends as well as his patients raised twice as much as the initial objective. The HMR Foundation is grateful for their outstanding commitment.