Friday, 26 May, 2022
Montreal, QC – IAM Canada’s General Vice-President David Chartrand and 8 others willingly had their heads shaved to raise money for Leucan, an organisation dedicated to helping kids diagnosed with cancer, as well as their families.
Although the fundraising goal was a modest $5,000, the final amount raised was an astounding $35,543.00. It is a number that speaks to the generosity, dedication and caring on the part of all LL712 members.
LL712 member Alexandre Bourdon’s daughter Laurence has been in remission from cancer since August 2022. During the 26 months of her treatment, Leucan supported them by helping pay for certain medications, by offering the parents weekends off and many other activities for the family. At the fundraiser, daughter Laurence was present with her brother Charles and Alexandre’s spouse Veronique.
Multiple members of Local Lodge 712, working with Bourdon, who were touched by the ordeal the Bourdon family has been through, had their heads shaved in order to raise funds to give back to the Leucan organisation which supported them and so many other families.
Participants in the fundraising and Shaved Head Challenge were Alexandre Bourdon, David Chartrand, Eric Goudreau, Mathieu Lefebvre, Emmanuel Bourgoin, Patrick Yale, Francoys André Clermont, Eric Guilmain and Cristian Miguel Castanon Parangueo. All are members of IAM Local Lodge 712.
GVP Chartrand, visibly moved by the story of Alexandre Bourdon and the challenges faced by his family, said, “I want to thank all who donated and gave time to support this cause. I can’t imagine the stress and the feeling of helplessness a parent must feel when their child is diagnosed with any kind of cancer. Any organisation bringing relief and support to the families affected by this horrible disease deserves our support. In this case, it was a member of the IAM’s family who needed the support and Leucan certainly provided that for them. Alexandre and Veronique decided to give back and Local Lodge 712 joined wholeheartedly in the effort.”
Christian Bertrand, Local Lodge 712 President spoke on behalf of the IAM and thanked all volunteers and participants but most of all the members and friends who generously donated. Said Bertrand, “Our union is proud to have been able to contribute in the fundraising efforts, the team at local lodge 712 rallied behind our brother Alexandre and showed just how strong solidarity is. As our motto says ‘Justice on the job and service to the community’.”
Funds raised were raised through many ways: donations to participants in shaved head challenge, the sale of cookies, sale of promotional articles, a raffle for hockey tickets, a 50/50 draw, and the Bombardier employees’ Goodwill Fund.
For 40 years, Leucan has been committed to helping cancer-stricken children and their families. In addition to its support to clinical research, the Association provides specific and personalized services to its families: emotional assistance and support, financial assistance, referral services, massage therapy, hosting and support in hospital’s playrooms, socio-recreational activities, an awareness and assistance program in school, end-of-life and bereavement follow-up, as well as the Leucan Information Centre.
