Take on the Chain of Life Challenge at mont Orignal!

Hi,
My name is Coralie Lachance, and I am a Grade 11 student at Polyvalente Saint-François in Beauceville, where I am enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP).

It is with great pride that I serve as the Chain of Life Challenge flag-bearer for the Chaudière-Appalaches South region. I also represent the hundreds of thousands of students across Quebec who have taken part in Chain of Life’s educational program on organ and tissue donation as part of their high school English classes.

I am also very happy to be part of an organization that is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. I had the opportunity to take part in the promotional video for the 2026 Chain of Life Challenge, which will be held as part of World Day for Organ Donation and Transplantation. Through this experience, I met Louis-Félix Noel, a young person from my region who is currently waiting for a heart transplant. We both took part in the video, and Louis-Félix will be by my side, along with all of us, as we carry the Chain of Life flag to the summit of Mont-Orignal. His story touched me deeply and reminded me just how important organ and tissue donation is.

My involvement with Chain of Life has also strengthened and confirmed my desire to become a cardiac surgeon. I have always wanted to contribute to the well-being of others and make a real difference in people’s lives. Today, I understand just how important it is to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation. Through conversations with my family, friends, and people around me, I have realized that there is still a great deal of misunderstanding and misinformation surrounding the subject. Education is a powerful tool that helps people better understand the importance of this life-saving gift.

My interest in health also goes hand in hand with my lifestyle. I am a very active person who enjoys running and playing volleyball, along with many other sports and physical activities. That is why the Chain of Life activities about the human body and the importance of taking care of our organs particularly resonated with me. My story with Chain of Life, however, began a few years earlier. I remember one Wednesday when my mother travelled to Drummondville to attend a training session with Ms. Lucie Dumont so that she could teach the program. When she came home, her eyes were shining as she told us about the moving stories she had heard during the training on organ and tissue donation.

A few weeks later, as a student in her English class, I had the opportunity to take part in the program myself. I learned about the different steps from donation to transplantation, as well as all the people who contribute to this extraordinary process. I was also deeply moved by the inspiring stories of families whose loved ones became organ donors. Like many of my classmates, I found the experience both enriching and deeply touching.

Today, I am convinced that through education, awareness, and conversations inspired by Chain of Life, we can truly make a difference and save lives.

I invite you to join us for the Chain of Life Challenge and become, in your own way, a link in this great chain of solidarity and hope.

Coralie

Hello,
My name is Louis-Félix Noel, I am 14 years old, and I am a Secondary 3 student at Polyvalente des Appalaches in the World, Cultures and Languages (MCL) program. This year, I have the honour of being one of the flag-bearers for the Chain of Life Challenge in the Chaudière-Appalaches South region, alongside Coralie Lachance.

At birth, I was diagnosed with a serious heart defect that required several surgeries. Despite everything, over the years, I was always able to play the sports I love, such as hockey and soccer. In fact, for several years, I played as a goaltender in minor hockey. I have many precious memories from those years.

Everything changed two years ago, when I suffered a heart attack. I was then told that the only possible option was a heart transplant. I therefore had to stop playing all contact sports, including hockey, and travelling is no longer possible for me.

With my new heart, I dream of being able to play hockey again and travel like I used to. I know that a transplant could give me the chance to live a life with fewer fears and restrictions related to my heart condition.

I never thought I would need a new heart at such a young age. That’s why I believe it’s important to talk about organ donation and educate young people about it, so they can better understand this reality and discuss it with their families. Every donation can save a life and give someone the chance to keep pursuing their dreams.

My role as a flag bearer for the Chain of Life Challenge is especially meaningful to me because I want people to understand the impact organ donation can have, particularly for young people like me.

Behind every donation, there is a person, a family, dreams and, above all, a life that can continue.

Thank you for participating in such great numbers!
Louis-Félix