Alexia and Anthony Calvillo at the MUHC
Inauguration of the Alexia & Anthony Calvillo Cedars Family Room
Today, Alexia and Anthony Calvillo, CJAD 800 and the Cedars Cancer Institute at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) celebrate the inauguration the much-anticipated “Alexia and Anthony Calvillo Cedars Family Room.” This new-and-improved family room on the Hematology-Oncology in-patient ward (M7) at the Royal Victoria Hospital was made possible thanks to: Alexia and Anthony Calvillo, the CJAD Touchdown Club, the CJAD Kids Fund and the many generous donors of the Cedar Cancer Institute at the MUHC.
A source of inspiration
After being diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma last October, Alexia was treated and cared for by the compassionate and hard-working team of health care professionals on the Hematology-Oncology in-patient ward (M7) at the Royal Victoria Hospital. During this difficult period, Alexia became determined to give something back to the hospital that cared for her. At the same time, she saw an opportunity to improve the family room for cancer patients on M7 – a place where Alexia spent many hours in the company of family and friends.
Today, well on her way to a sound bill of health, Alexia celebrates the fruits of their labour. "We cannot begin to tell you how much Cedars CanSupport helped us through my illness. We would meet in the family room on M7 all the time. In the end, we just wanted to do something that would help other cancer patients and their families as they navigate their own cancer journey at the MUHC."
Jim Hindley, Past President of the Cedars Cancer Institute, also expressed his thanks and acknowledged the importance of Alexia and Anthony’s generosity. “It is rewarding when people are so pleased with the care they receive at the MUHC that they give back so other people can benefit. We have been blessed by Alexia’s passion to re-do the family room and Alexia and Anthony’s desire to make a difference for others.”
A team effort
In order to help make the family room on M7 a little brighter and more comforting for families in need of a lift, Anthony donated $100 for every touchdown pass he threw this season. The CJAD Kids Fund matched his donations, touchdown for touchdown and dollar for dollar. "We are proud to team up with Anthony and the Touchdown Club,” explains Rick Moffatt, CJAD800 Sports Director and voice of the Montreal Allouettes and les Canadiens. “The fact that he threw 43 touchdowns last year was an inspiration for Alexia and helped boost support for the family room renovation at Cedars."
The renovation was also made possible by the many generous donors of the Cedar Cancer Institute at the MUHC. “I am so pleased to say that the community raised more than $50,000 in cash and in-kind donations to renovate the family room,” explains a very proud Stephen Hajaly, Chairman of the Cedars Cancer Institute. “We are truly touched and want to thank everyone for their generous donations.”
A touch of design
The Alexia & Anthony Calvillo Cedars Family Room would not have been possible without the generous donations of the “design team” and the MUHC Planning Office. Decor Janice Auger donated her time, talent and resources while Mary Di Pietro from Ambienti Design donated furniture and J. Sonic and Mayfred Canada donated a plasma TV and DVD player. And for the cherry on top, Marina Cutler donated art from Avenue Art.
The Cedars Cancer Institute is a hospital-based charity that supports comprehensive cancer care and funding to patients and healthcare professionals at the McGill University Health Centre, specifically, the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Montreal General Hospital and, through its Sarah Cook Fund, at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. Since its inception in 1966, The Cedars Cancer Institute has raised more than $28 million in much-needed funds to purchase state-of-the-art diagnostic oncology equipment, improve facilities for treatment and care of cancer patients, offer cancer patients and their families free, psycho-social, practical and humanitarian assistance through its Cedars CanSupport program, support cancer research, provide fellowships for visiting professors and improve public awareness of cancer related issues through lectures and education. www.cedars.ca
The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) is a comprehensive academic health institution with an international reputation for excellence in clinical programs, research and teaching. Its partner hospitals are the Montreal Children's Hospital, the Montreal General Hospital, the Royal Victoria Hospital, the Montreal Neurological Hospital, the Montreal Chest Institute and the Lachine Hospital. The goal of the MUHC is to provide patient care based on the most advanced knowledge in the health care field and to contribute to the development of new knowledge. www.muhc.ca
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