Cécile and André Chabot: exemplary volunteers

As soon as the first days of April come around, people begin to see the outburst of yellow colors in LaSalle’s 18 points of sale, in supermarkets, thanks to 180 volunteers.

Residents of LaSalle for 28 years and volunteers for 15 years, Cécile and André have been involved in cancer research for the last seven years. LaSalle has obtained the best results in the island of Montreal when it comes to raising funds for cancer research, thanks to the efforts of Cécile and André Chabot. Last year, they raised $38,000 making a total of $400,000 over a ten-year period. “We visit between 450 and 500 businesses. The first year, we collected $4,000.00. Last year, we made more than $12,000.00.” Why cancer? “We do it because first it is a worthy cause. We see people who survive cancer and whose lives have been prolonged because of the money we collect. It’s emotionally satisfying.”

Living in LaSalle for the last 28 years, Cécile and André share a passion for life, nature and beauty. He was a postman with Canada Post for 34 years while she worked as a secretary in a school for 25 years.

Cécile pointed out that her husband has numerous interests, but when he had a heart attack two years ago. “He was always passionate and was a perfectionist. But we have a very pleasant life. We never get bored.” André said: “I was never sick before that. I don’t see myself going and that can happen from one day to the next. The doctors kept me in the hospital for a month and it took me six months before I could resume my activities.”