A talented young patient gives back!
On Valentine’s Day, my 9-year-old son wanted to spread some love for sick children who currently stay at the Children’s, like he did when he had acute leukemia. Jean-Gilles was then fighting for his life. Everyday, our anxiety increased: the only way to save his life was a bone marrow transplant and he needed a compatible donor. During the fall of 2014, we contacted the media to help us find a donor. We were speechless when we learned the intervention was about to become a reality. Jean-Gilles celebrated his first transplant anniversary in January and was able to return to school a few weeks ago. Now he wants to give back. For him, his greatest achievement, and what makes him very proud, is his first album Vivre launched at the Children’s. Jean-Gilles’ doctor, David Mitchell, was aware of his patient’s passion for music. He encouraged Jean-Gilles to sing for sick children, but the project didn’t stop there. A variety of artists joined Jean-Gilles to record an album, including Alain Dumas and Valérie Lahaie, finalist at La Voix, to name a few. On February 14, Jean-Gilles sang two songs from his album in front of young patients at the P.K. Subban Atrium with Valérie Lahaie (Plus fort que lui) and Madison Tucker (Let it go). He then performed a concert including its entire opus with artists at the Collège Sacré-Coeur de Granby in front of an enthusiastic audience. For Jean-Gilles, the word Vivre (live) means the second chance at life he got. In recognition of the excellent care he received at the Children’s, Jean-Gilles has chosen to give all the profits from his album sales to the Montreal Children's Hospital. Marie-Josée, Jean-Gilles' mom