Exporting Cancer?

Posted on April 2, 2014 by admin

Hearing from your doctor that “you have cancer” is a shocking and scary experience. That happened to me in 1988 just as my wife and I learned that she was pregnant with our first child. For every cancer patient, the journey about how to grapple with the diagnosis means one’s life has been altered forever. It is daunting to wrestle with cancer, as it is the great plague of the 20^th & now the 21^st centuries.

In my case, I was supported by a fantastic medical team and endured minimal intervention and no surgeries. However, it took a full five years before the doctors declared me “cured” and “cancer-free.” Along the way my family endured a great deal emotionally. Because of my illness, I was removed from regular life insurance roles and had to dole out 300% for less insurance coverage for my growing family – after initially being told it would be a 700% increase – a struggle I had to wage on top of adjusting to the ramifications of the serious diagnosis.

Four years earlier I had lost my father to cancer and then lost my mother as well, 12 years later in 1996. Both my parents died from a different form of cancer, but according to their wishes they each died at home and with the dignity. I assure you, the practical elements of delivering the dignity they deserved was very draining on our extended family. I came to know cancer much better than I wanted to, but as it is in many domains, life often does not offer us choices. So now on the doorstep of real spring, I see April as cancer month. For me, it is painted yellow because of the national Canadian Cancer Society Daffodil fundraising campaign, and creative expressions of surging hope that emanate from cancer survivors across Canada. They reflect the importance of our collective efforts to all come together to defeat cancer’s scourge.

In the past several years, we have actually done incredibly well on this front. The Canadian Cancer Society reminds us that the billions of dollars that have been raised in recent decades to fund research and develop new treatments have had a positive impact. Happily, with new drug therapies, most cancers are actually in decline in Canada and across North America – and for some cancers, in rather significant ways. Pamela Fralick, the CEO of the Canadian Cancer Society says we are at “an exciting threshold and there is great optimism for a future where we will no longer have to fear the word cancer.” But note that during the past century, cancer has been a disease, primarily of the wealthy.

In the spirit of our LCC Destiny Quebec (DQ) student leadership conference focused on globalization, allow me to assert that globalization is not just about trade and the proliferation of new digital technologies. It also includes health, and cancer is our primary export. Yes, on the international cancer front, things are changing. Now more than 60% of new cancer cases in the world are occurring in poor and middle-income countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2025 the share of global deaths in these poor countries is projected to rise to three-quarters – 75%. The numbers are on the rise in poor countries because diagnosis and care tends to be weak. However, we are also exporting – globalizing our Western lifestyles. This includes more people smoking, overeating, and fewer getting enough exercise. There seems to be a direct correlation with cancers of the lung, bowel and breast. In 2012, 14.1 million new cancer cases were diagnosed and 8.2 million died from the disease, 11% more than in 2008. By 2025 the number of new cases is expected to reach 19.3 million, a notable 37% increase, and mostly in the world’s poorest nations.

So we surely have more to do to steadily defeat cancer in our society. But let’s be aware that we have indeed arrested the growth of many cancers with new medications and expensive treatments. Yet this won’t work in the developing world. The cancer problem there is only beginning to truly surge and shock, and will shortly become the developing world’s deadliest killer. What will we do to address this form of globalization, this deadly export? I know that many of our students will have an impact by committing to successful careers in the health care sector. If that’s too far down the road for some, we can all start by wearing a daffodil pin today to support research and anyone you know who is a survivor or living with cancer today. Then consider “what else can I do?” –Christopher Shannon, Headmaster

Toward Truth & Reconciliation

Posted on May 13, 2013 by dlevy

A couple of weeks ago former Prime Minister Paul Martin made an excellent interactive presentation at our annual Destiny Quebec Global Issues Conference. Behind closed doors he was particularly emphatic with organizers about the need to be more engaged regarding aboriginal affairs in Canada.

Our students expressed a certain feeling of detachment from some of the current issues with First Nations, which is not very different than the general population. Unfortunately, mainstream Canada is often ignorant or ill informed on native affairs. So let me do what Mr. Martin wanted, and draw aboriginal issues more into the light.

Canada’s native peoples come from a wide array of backgrounds, traditions and geographic regions, from the Atlantic to Pacific and Arctic coasts. Aboriginal Canadians account for approximately 4% of the total Canadian population – some 600 First Nations governments or bands with distinctive cultures, languages, art and music – and half live in Canada’s major cities, not just on reserves. However, social and economic challenges for Native Canadians are pronounced. Aboriginals are twice as likely than other Canadians to be unemployed. They make up 23% of Canada’s total prison population (33% for women). Many native communities have poor housing, no access to safe water or flush toilets, and youth are often in a state of distress with high rates of substance abuse and suicide rates way above the national average.

The hunger strike and regional protests that made up last winter’s Idle No More campaign reminded ordinary Canadians that there are many complicated socioeconomic issues for aboriginals that are part of the greater Canadian agenda of priorities. Essentially, native people simply want to be more of a priority on the national agenda than they are now. They need to be noticed and respected.

Mr. Martin has been a long-time supporter of native peoples in both public and private life. He was recently a private witness at the “Truth & Reconciliation” hearings held a week ago in Montreal. These are public hearings set up in seven Canadian cities to help our country come to terms with our shameful history of over 100 years of native residential schools – essentially a system of wrenching very young children and teens from their families and communities to go to far away boarding schools run by various religious orders on behalf of the federal government. It was an overt attempt to assimilate native Canadians into the mainstream Canadian society. Or in the word of one bureaucrat at that time, “to take the Indian out of the child”. Children were strictly forbidden to speak their own languages, traditional beliefs were mocked, and way too often, the students were subjected to physical and/or sexual abuse. In short, the school network left a very painful legacy. This actually resulted in an official apology in 2008 from the federal government, some monetary compensation and now, an open process aimed at promoting healing. Survivors of the abuse continue to struggle and have been presenting to the national commission as part of the healing process. The objective is indeed to define and share the truth – and take steps toward meaningful reconciliation.

Unfortunately, this is part of our collective history that we must accept. It is a shocking history in a country that prides itself on the core elements of democratic principles: equality and opportunity for all. So what can anyone do about it? Probably more than you think. But start simple and start small. Inform yourself. Spend a few minutes reading about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Canada – and consider the challenges of native youth in so many communities across Canada. If you become inspired to act, then be prepared to lead.

As former Governor General Michaelle Jean said recently, “the Commission’s purpose is to break the cycle of indifference. We need to confront history together and see how we want to move forward. It’s about all of us”. – Chris Shannon, Headmaster

DQ 2011: Broadening our Montreal Perspectives

Posted on April 18, 2011 by admin

The coming of April brings about a shift in the overall mentality of students, and the city as a whole. Snow is melting, sun is shining, the Habs are battling it out in the playoffs, and it’s time to re-discover the wonders of the outside world. The increasingly pleasant weather evokes a dormant passion in us all to explore new ideas, and how better to kick it off than LCC’s 12th annual Destiny Quebec conference: an event for Montreal youth to discuss pertinent issues and current events.

In recent years, our committee has oriented itself towards global and environmental themes such as “A World Without Oil” and the eminent global water crisis. This year however, we chose to go with something a little closer to home. We elected to focus on a most beautiful and cosmopolitan city: Montréal.
Over the course of the one-day conference, which took place on April 12, we sought to explore the various facets of our city’s unique character, and speculate on how it will evolve with increased immigration, globalization, and population. As the city faces challenges and changes in the years to come, our goal was to broaden the delegates’ understanding of, appreciation for, and responsibility to the city that we will one day inherit.

The day began with a small reception hosted by our headmaster, where my co-chair Kasha and I had the pleasure of meeting with several of the seminar speakers before the conference began. Our keynote speaker, Mr. Alexandre Trudeau, kicked things off with our opening assembly, where Senior School students and other delegates gathered. Mr. Trudeau’s remarks were highly engaging as he took us through the history of Montreal and emphasized how the city has always preserved a diverse, accepting, and multi-cultural identity. He concluded by asserting that Montreal will continue to develop and flourish as Canada’s most cosmopolitan city and lead the way towards a progressive and innovative future.

Following the general assembly the delegates broke off into five different seminar sessions led by 10 different thought-provoking speakers, covering a wide array of topics: business/economy, public/social institutions, infrastructure, culture and festivals.

After two hours of discussion in our smaller groups, we gathered in the WLAC (Webster Learning Activity Centre) for a break and to share ideas. It did not take long for us to realize that everyone had been inspired by their seminar discussions. Disagreement on certain political issues sparked an intense debate between Mr. Patrick Cigana, Director of “Projet Montreal,” and Professor Saeed Mirza of McGill University concerning Montreal’s infrastructure problems. The former CEOs of Alcan and Positron, two of Canada’s biggest industries over the last decades, used their acquired wisdom to lead an exceptional “Business” seminar. Messrs. Culver and Weiser had some stiff competition however, as students laughed up a storm with the Just for Laughs Chief Operating Officer, Bruce Hills, and explored Montreal’s arts & music scene with retired teacher and prolific musician, George Doxas, in the “Festivals” seminar.
Other delegates were able to travel through the world of Montreal’s sports with former Expos commentator and journalist Rodger Brulotte, and enhance their perspectives on Montreal’s situation as compared to rest of the world with Mr. Trudeau’s extensive worldly experiences and knowledge in our “Culture” discussion. The remainder of the conference attendees talked about the future of our great city’s academic and social infrastructure, as well as public works projects such as the new MUHC with the Director of Marionopolis College, Len Even, and local urban planner, Mélanie Veilleux.

Refreshed yet stimulated by the break, the delegates broke off into their second block of seminars. Discussions were even more intense than the first set of seminars as the delegates and speakers eased into the rhythm of the conference.

Closing presentations took place at 2 pm in the Chamandy Auditorium where we listened to LCC alumni John Christou ’95 and Alec Mathewson ’95 break down Montreal’s film industry with great enthusiasm. They explained the difference between independent and unionized filmmaking, and elaborated on the process of movie production as a whole. Mostly, they described the challenges and perseverance that their profession requires, and emphasized the diversity in style and concentration of creativity that our city proudly houses.

After their presentation had finished and the closing address was made, delegates said their goodbyes and poured onto Royal Avenue with somewhat different perspectives from when they arrived earlier in the day. They were more sensitive to Montreal’s opportunities, challenges and needs. At the conference end, we encouraged the delegates to make the best of their newly acquired knowledge by embracing their respective roles as citizens of Montreal.
As we look forward, and with the anticipated drop in Montreal’s English population, it is our generation’s duty to preserve Montreal’s cosmopolitan heritage and keep it on course towards a better tomorrow. This DQ conference took a small step in ensuring that today’s youth are on track to do just that (photos). — Greg Sigler ’11, Co-Chair, Destiny Quebec 2011

Pondering the Future of Montreal @ LCC

Posted on April 13, 2011 by admin

What’s the future of Montreal? This was the focus of this year’s annual Destiny Quebec student leadership conference held this week at LCC. What an excellent topic for those of us who live in this great city. (view gallery)

Congratulations to DQ 2011 student Co-Chairs Kasha Bonneville ’11 and Greg Sigler ’11 who guided an enthusiastic committee of student leaders. After months of planning, students investigated this question with visiting experts. This was done through the lens of our aging infrastructure, evolving university and health care institutions, the vibrancy of Montreal’s culture, and emerging areas of economic challenge and leadership in the city.

Keynote speaker Alexandre Trudeau presented a fascinating perspective to all Senior School students and visiting delegates. He noted that in Montreal – and indeed everywhere in the West – we need to be aware of the challenges emerging from new economic superpowers China and India. We need to respond with innovation. In Mr. Trudeau’s words, our future success is dependent on being “flexible, tolerant and imaginative.” I know our students are up to the challenge and will emerge as confident leaders who will steward Montreal into the future with care. –Chris Shannon, Headmaster