Take on the Chain of Life Challenge at Ski Montcalm!

When I first began working at the SQ, I heard about the possibility of volunteering for organ transport. I submitted my name several times and this year I was selected. I recently had the privilege of transporting a medical team to retrieve a heart for a patient less than a year old.

Let me introduce myself: Simon Gascon-Langelier, an officer with the Sûreté du Québec since 2013. I'm now part of the CODA volunteer team for the SQ team in Montreal.

I find that this type of volunteering allows us to give back directly to people in need through our authority as peace officers. Although I've only done one transport so far, I get a real sense of accomplishment from having the opportunity to help save or improve the health and lives of others.

In my current position, I'm less in direct contact with emergency calls. On the other hand, volunteering for organ transport allows me to refocus on what motivates me to be a police officer, which is to be able to help in times of a crisis.

On a more personal note, I've always signed my health insurance card in favour of organ donation. I firmly believe that donating one's organs upon death is one of the greatest acts a citizen can accomplish.

On a more personal note, I've always signed my health insurance card in favour of organ donation. I firmly believe that donating one's organs upon death is one of the greatest acts a citizen can accomplish.

A retired police officer since 2014, I worked at the SPVM for 30 years.

In June 2008, our youngest daughter, Stéphanie, died in a car accident. She had completed the Chain of Life Program, which was a pilot project at the time. One day, Stéphanie told us that she wanted to donate her organs in the event of her death. Two weeks later, she suddenly passed from life to death, saving four lives.

After a ceremony held by the Canadian Organ and Tissue Donors  Association (CODA)  in Sherbrooke, I decided to become a CODA volunteer. I gave it my all and made dozens of transports.

Doing these transports made me realize that during my career, I'll never know how many lives I've saved. But on every one of those transports, I knew that I was making a concrete contribution to saving a life. I did each one “accompanied” by my daughter Stéphanie, and each time, I said to myself “Yes Steph, we've saved another one.

Our daughter's story is shared in Chain of Life's wonderful education program.

Each transport gave me a sense of accomplishment and pride in being a good person in Stephanie's memory.

I have been sensitized to the cause of organ donation for a very long time. I even used to be a volunteer for the Fondation Diane-Hébert. 

When I was asked to carry the Chain of Life flag to the summit of Denali at 6,190 m in 2018, I accepted right away because, simply put, it is important and serious! 
 
I have remained close to this organisation ever since as I believe in its mission to educate young people in order to ensure that collectively, we can move on, while all the while fulfilling the many requests of recipients. That's what the chain of life is all about!

So come on, come join me in climbing Ski Montcalm on October 14!

Alexis "le randonneur" Nantel
Presenter and speaker