Holiday cheer comes early to children in palliative care at Montreal’s Le Phare

Santa showed up early for young patients at Le Phare in Montreal, as has become tradition.

First responders, mascots, and SPVM officers participated in the sixth annual edition of the “Bright Lights, Bright Eyes” parade on Monday.

Organizer Marco Cerroni started the holiday tradition after he learned about the story of Noah, a seven-year-old boy living at the Montreal pediatric palliative care resource. Noah’s dream was to become a police officer.

“It’s emotional for everyone, for the first responders, for the staff at La Phare, for all the family members. It’s a special tradition that we hope to continue every year, and it’s something very magical,” said Cerroni.

At the time, Cerroni was a Montreal police cadet, and he decided to organize a parade. Since then, the event has spread holiday cheer to the young patients at Le Phare, the resource dedicated to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

“It makes people happy, and it creates the Christmas magic,” said Lyne St-Martin, the executive director of Le Phare Enfants et Familles.

Even the freezing cold couldn’t stop family, friends, neighbours, and volunteers from participating.

“This event warms your hearts inside. Even though it’s really cold, having the sixth annual Bright Lights, Bright Eyes campaign is really amazing for the kids,” said Rocco Speranza, the spiritual and community animator for the English Montreal School Board.

“It’s getting bigger every year. I think many people want to participate. The first responders mean a lot to them. I can see a lot of calls throughout the year that it’s heavy, but this is a great thing as well.”

“Like we said six years ago no matter what happened, if it’s snowing, raining, if it’s really cold, we’re always going to be here for the children at Le Phare. Time for them is very precious so we’re always going to make an effort to always be there for them and to show them that they’re not alone and to support them and their families,” said Cerroni.

“It brings tears to my eyes to see all these people say, ‘We’re going to take time, it’s cold, it’s windy, but we’re going to take time and we’re going to be there for the children, for the sick children who, yeah, who need a bit of magic in their lives,'” St-Martin added.

Community support is necessary, and not just at Christmas, to help Le Phare provide the free care and services desperately needed by so many families.

“We welcome children from across the province, 365 days a year,” said St.-Martin. “So children who have a life-limiting condition. And we support families. So we support throughout the illness of the child but also at the end of life and at the moment of bereavement and grief. So it’s an important role that this not-for-profit organization offers.”

“It’s important to visit Le Phare, and it’s important to support the cause if possible,” Speranza added. “They have a website to donate, if you can. Just come by next year to participate, show that you care, and they’re happy to have you.”