‘There’s life after cancer:’ Montreal cancer patients, survivors connect through food and community bonding

Teens and young adult cancer patients and survivors receive service with a smile at Montreal restaurant Le Violon in an effort to build a sense of community and comfort during what many feel is their most challenging times.

Part of the Jackie Aziz Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Program at the Cedars Cancer Foundation, the lunch featured patients aged 15 to 39 — with some being treated at the McGill University Health Centre. Patients shared stories to help establish a connection with others who share the same experiences.

“Patients were just talking to each other and non-judgmental, being themselves, talking about everything and not always about cancer,” said Virginia Lee, the program’s clinical co-lead. “I think that’s what’s really important because there’s life after cancer.”

Lee says the program at Cedars is an initiative through the MUHC and has been two years in the making, after hearing that patients continue to struggle to connect with younger or older patients.

The program is spearheaded by Lynn and Randy Aziz, who honour their daughter Jackie, who was diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma when she was 18 and died at the age of 23. 

Lee says this was their first community event with more anticipated in the year as the mission of the program is to affect positive change for all. The patients had never met prior.

“You really look forward to seeing people and seeing how they’re doing and then you can bond over things like medication we all collectively really don’t like,” said 19-year-old Veronique Grigg, who is battling stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Grigg, who studies at Concordia University, is preparing for another round of treatment this winter and anticipates to be done in the summer.

Cancer survivors Sarabelle Khalil, 23, and Rachel Dagenais, 32, said in treatment centres, it’s often a lot of older people — making it challenging to connect and relate due to the age gap.

“There’s always programs for, let’s say, children or just adults in general, but we’re in that age where we’re in between, where we don’t necessarily relate with,” said Dagenais, who is in remission from battling triple negative stage 1 grade 3 breast cancer.

“Having this event just brings the community together where you can discuss issues and feelings that you felt with people that understand you,” she said.

Khalil shares the same reasoning and sentiment, saying it’s not common to meet people her age who have shared similar experiences.

“Sometimes you need people who are your age and who really understand what you’re going through,” said Khalil, who battled non Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“It just adds something that has not exactly the connotation of the family, not exactly your group of friends, but something special.”

Co-chef of Le Violon Danny Smiles said when asked to participate in the luncheon, he jumped at the opportunity, reminiscing that someone close to him also dealt with cancer at a young age. He notes that he wanted to provide something with little to no stress and create a natural atmosphere for patients to experience.

“This really provided a place where we had a lot of 19 to 35-year-olds that are able to come and eat at a restaurant. You know, what do 19 to 35-year-olds people do? They love going to a restaurant. So I think that’s what we really wanted to provide for them,” Smiles said.

Smiles said he focused on providing fresh foods for the patients, ranging from salads, vegetables, chickpeas, to cake — noting he wanted to focus on heathy and organic foods.

Patients expressed their gratitude, describing each meal as perfection.

“The food was delicious. Honestly, I’ve wanted to come here for a long time,” said Rachel Grigiac, 31, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

“I’m a foodie, I do love food,” added Khalil. “The bread was absolutely exceptional. It was like these little white fluffy buns with like Himalayan salt on top. Delicious.”

“Their green simple but delicious salad was probably one of my favorites,” Dagenais added.

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Smiles said Le Violon will continue to open their doors for all, and anticipates future collaborations with the foundation.

“There was a nice little community going on,” he said. “I think it was very touching.”

Lee says more information will become available on upcoming events, encouraging survivors and patients to reach out and connect to the program.

“If you see another person who’s young in a waiting room, reach out and say hello,” she said. “Tell them about these events and bring them to the next one.”