Just over two months after the journalist’s death Quebec Journal Kathleen Frenette, who died of breast cancer, and her colleague and columnist Karine Gagnon are launching a Quebec City in Pink fundraiser in her honor starting April 1um until October 31st.
In July 2018, cancer entered Kathleen’s life and not just any cancer: triple negative breast cancer, aggressive and generally unforgiving. After a hard fight, Kathleen Frenette, a golden colleague, finally slowly left us on June 28th.
Journalist Kathleen Frenette, who died last June. Archive photo, Stevens LeBlanc
“She fought very courageously and I wanted to dedicate this campaign to her,” emphasizes Karine Gagnon, who is also deputy information director at the Journal de Québec.
The latter has been committed to this cause, which is close to her heart, for several years, but this fall’s campaign takes on special meaning. The last year has made her realize that no one is untouchable, with one in eight women typically being diagnosed with breast cancer.
“It is important to understand that it can happen to anyone. She was a super vivacious and super dynamic woman who had a super colorful language. “She’s the kind of person you could imagine living to be 100 years old.”
“I started getting involved because it was a cause I was really passionate about, but the years have shown that at the end of the day we all know someone who has had breast cancer. That’s why it’s important to do our part in research,” she added, specifying that her goal is to raise more than $1,000.
Quebec City in pink
Last year’s Quebec City in Pink campaign raised $277,000, a record. Since its inception, the movement has donated more than $3 million in donations to the Breast Disease Center at the CHU de Québec-Université Laval.
“It allows us to purchase state-of-the-art technology and equipment that would not be possible without fundraising,” explains President and CEO of the Fondation du CHU de Québec, Marie-Claude Paré.
From October 1st to 31st, Quebec becomes a city in pink as the color of the fight against breast cancer illuminates dozens of businesses, landmarks and monuments.
The 13th edition will see both partners and light bearers mobilize to financially support this cause and the 1,200 people diagnosed with breast cancer every year.
“The money that people donate stays here, in Quebec, and it is entirely used to do good for patients in Quebec and throughout Eastern Quebec,” she concluded.
To make a donation: https://www.jedonneenligne.org/fondationchudequebec/campagne/QVR2/participants/view/004170ad-4771-11ee-a093-001dd8b75df7