United for
Sarcoma Research

Achievements 2022
-Establishment of a registry on sarcomas.
-Development of training offered to general practitioners to better detect sarcomas.
-Creation of a biobank to store blood tissue samples essential for basic research.
-Development of 3 retrospective studies on leiomyosarcomas and desmoid tumors.

Objectives for 2023
Development of major basic research that will span several years and will provide a better understanding of the biology of sarcomas in order to identify and experiment with promising drugs.

Target amount for 2023: $100,000
The achievements made and future projects allow us to keep hope alive. Help us support the funding of sarcoma research at Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital.

Despite the recent death of Robert Lafontaine, co-founder of the Fund and father of Pascal, Éric, his brother, and myself, his mother, continue our commitment to this cause that is close to our hearts. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Pierrette Tétreault

Éric Lafontaine

His Passion

-Pascal lived his life intensely as if he knew it would be cut short. He devoted himself to any activity he took on with passion and determination.
-As a teenager, he explored acting. After getting a few small roles, he gave up this path for lack of enthusiasm.
-Pascal played different sports, but it was in BMX that he found his real passion.
-A high level rider, in 2015, Pascal learned that he would have to have his leg amputated due to a very aggressive cancer: sarcoma. He was 22 years old.

The Treatments

-The toxic and grueling chemotherapy treatments forced Pascal to put his university studies and his passion for BMX on hold.
-One year after the amputation the cancer returned. Pascal learned then that there was no cure.
-For 5 years Pascal remained hopeful. His family’s efforts in researching and obtaining access to experimental treatments allowed Pascal to prolong his life.

His Spirit

-His attitude, his refusal to give up gave Pascal the strength to live. Despite treatment failures, Pascal never slipped into despair. He remained extraordinarily courageous.
-Golf helped Pascal direct his energy away from the disease and focus his mind. Although he excelled at the sport, it never held the same flame for him as BMX.
-Three years after the amputation of his leg and despite ongoing treatments, Pascal got back on his bike and surprised everyone with his skill, courage and determination.
-His passion for BMX surpassed his cancer:
“Riding allows me to stay positive and in the present. I completely forget about my illness"
“I firmly believe that having a passion is good for mental health. Regardless of the type of passion, the important thing is to focus your attention on something other than the illness." “My BMX video project was all that mattered. BMX was more important than my incurable cancer.".

His Determination

-His will outweighed the pain and physical constraints, Pascal has received thousands of testimonials from people who have found in him a source of inspiration and motivation.
"I had to start from scratch and relearn each trick, one by one, like I was a beginner. I had never had so much joy relearning something that I did 100 times a day before my leg was amputated. "
- A renowned British magazine awarded him the coveted title Rider of the Year in 2019.

-Pascal died of sarcoma on July 7, 2020.

Videos

Pascal on BMX - Rider of the Year 2019

Documentary about Pascal

Documentary "De Terry Fox à aujourd’hui"

From the left : Jean-François Dupuis political attaché of Ms. Nathalie Roy, Minister of Culture and Communications, Dre Sophie Mottard orthopedist HMR, Pierrette Tétreault mother of Pascal T Lafontaine Caroline Apollon Université de Mtl, and Dr Jonathan Noujaim oncologist HMR.