Take on the Chain of Life Challenge at mont Habitant!

As a police officer, I have the privilege of volunteering for the Canadian Organ and Tissue Donors Association (CODA). I'm proud to be a link in the chain of life.

For several years now, I've been taking to the road with a cooler full of dreams and hope, a priceless gift for people waiting for a transplant: lungs, kidneys, a liver, a pancreas, tissues and occasionally, a heart.

Real, tangible things that make THE difference for people waiting for a better quality of life. Being part of this chain of various actors makes me proud of all the work accomplished.

You can support the Chain of Life organization, whose mission is to raise awareness of organ and tissue donation among young people aged 15 to 17 in secondary schools. As they are the vectors of change of our society, I will be climbing Mont Habitant accompanied by my nephews and godchildren on awareness day, scheduled to take place on October 14. 

I'd like to take this opportunity to tell you this: If you don't know what organ donation is, ask about it; if you're afraid, ask questions to demystify your fears; if you believe in it, talk about it with those around you.

Signing your RAMQ card could mean saving up to eight lives or restoring the health of another 20 through organ and tissue donation.

On  May 19, 2012, I was injured while I was on the roof of the world at 8,848m with my Sherpa Namyal. I was suffering, but what I remember is that I was not alone. The support of everyone there with me was very powerful! It shows how we all make a difference.

Every time I think about my accident, it's hard not to get emotional, because I was walking on the walls and I couldn't see any solution. Today, I have recovered my health, but I still have hope and dreams and... I can't wait for the next mountain!

Waiting for an organ also requires perseverance, determination, good support and a steel-hard morale. It requires having hope and dreaming...!

The people who are waiting for a transplant and who do not know if they will find a compatible donor thus have a special place in my heart. They must continue to have hope and dreams.

We can give them hope by increasing the number of organ donations. 
The Chain of Life school program educates young people about organ and tissue donation and encourages them to discuss this issue with their families. In this way, they help save lives because the more that people are informed, the more they see the importance of saying yes to organ and tissue donation.

So, make a donation to Chain of Life, sign the back of your health insurance card and don't forget to tell your loved ones, because they will have the last word.

Come climb Mount Habitant with your family on October 15! It's a great way to support Chain of Life and at the same time get some fresh air.

Together, we can make a difference!

I look forward to seeing you.