Connexion Cancer

Connexion Cancer is a fundraising project begun by intrepid volunteer, Maude Woods-Lavoie. Its goal is simple: to better the hospital stays of patients undergoing cancer treatment by providing them with laptops and Internet connections during their time in hospital. The $20,000 that we are now in the process of raising will help Maude realize this dream by allowing the purchase of 15 new laptops and a full year of Internet access for every room on the 17th floor of the Montreal General Hospital site of the McGill University Health Centre Foundation. Depending on the success of this first step, Maude plans to do the same for cancer treatment wards in other hospitals.

The inspiration for this unique fundraiser came from Maude’s own experiences. “As a cancer survivor myself,” she says, “and having been in and out of the hospital for a period of 8 months, I know firsthand the loneliness and isolation a patient can feel.” A year and a half in the making, the idea for Connexion Cancer initially came to her when she was lying in her hospital bed undergoing her weekly round of chemotherapy. Staring out the window, she was filled with loneliness at not having had a visitor in over 24 hours. Though she desperately wanted company, she couldn’t get a hold of anyone to help keep her mind occupied. She realized how much easier things would be if she could send emails or chat online. Yet, even had she had a laptop, the cancer ward was not equipped with Internet access. It was then that she promised to herself that she would do everything in her power to raise the funds that would provide cancer patients like herself with access to a computer and the Internet.

Just imagine how much more pleasant a hospital stay would be for a patient going through the drudgery of cancer treatment if she or he had access to email, online groups and information, to music or videos and even online games. Every donation to Connexion Cancer takes us one step closer to this goal. To do your part, simply go to our Give Now page and fill out a General Donation form. Then write in “Connexion Cancer” in the "Please designate my gift to other" field at the bottom of the page. Helping is as simple as that and a better experience for cancer patients is as simple as keeping connected.

For more information about Connexion Cancer and to purchase merchandise that promotes and supports the project, please visit the official website at www.connexioncancer.ca or send an email to lonelyfish@connexioncancer.ca