Kirkland family looks to community

BY ELYSE AMEND

elyse.amend@transcontinental.ca

Kirkland resident Joe Marchildon is hoping the West Island community will come together to help his wife, Ella, because he says Quebec’s health care system so far has not.

In May 2003 – just five months after their home in Pointe Claire burnt down a day before Christmas — Ella was diagnosed with Signet Ring Cell cancer, a very rare form of the disease. After surgery and undergoing a year of chemotherapy, Ella was cancer free until last November. On Nov. 30, Ella’s birthday, tests confirmed the cancer had returned.

Last month, doctors informed the couple Ella’s best chance would be to get treatment at the Sugarbaker Oncology Clinic in Washington D.C., which specializes in the surgical treatment of cancers that arise in the gastrointestinal tract. According to Joe, the treatment Ella needs costs between $60,000 and $200,000.

While Dr. Paul Sugarbaker has reviewed Ella’s case and has accepted to treat her, her application to the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) for financial assistance and authorization to receive the treatment has so far been rejected, because RAMQ maintains the services needed are available in Quebec.

“But they’re not at all,” said Joe, adding doctors at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal have also said her best chance is the Sugarbaker procedure. “I think the bottom line is, we, as Canadians, like to sell to the rest of the world that our medicare system is one of the best available. And for 95 per cent it’s true. But, in this particular case, the system has unfortunately let my wife down.”

Ella was competing in the WISH (West Islanders Sings the Hits) competition at Cheevzz Resto Pub in Beaconsfield before she had to bow out when the cancer came back.

“She had actually won her week. She was actually doing very well in the competition, but she had to withdraw, because she became too ill,” said Janet Campeau of Blue Sunshine Music, the entertainment management company running the competition.

Blue Sunshine Music is organizing two benefits to help Ella: one will be held on April 10 at McKibbins West Island in Pointe Claire, and another will take place at Momesso Caffé in Dollard des Ormeaux on April 19. They will feature Blue Sunshine Music artist Robert Stefan and guests.

“We’ll do this until Ella has what she needs. You have to be persistent with these kinds of things,” Campeau said.

Nancy Fournier Nancy Fournier, a former neighbour of the Marchildons, heard of Ella’s story and is selling tickets for the Comedy for a Cause benefit at Bourbon Street West on April 16 that Joe is organizing.

“When it touches your own neighbourhood, I just felt so compelled,” Fournier said. “I wish I knew 30,000 people who could each give me a toonie.”

While times may seem tough, Joe said he is not giving up. He and Ella left for Washington this week for a preliminary meeting with Dr. Sugarbaker, and are still hoping RAMQ will change its mind.

“So far to date, they’ve let one of their constituents down,” he said. “We’d like them to reverse their decision.”

For more on Ella’s story, upcoming events, and how to help, visit www.helpella.com.