I was 18 when mononucleosis triggered cancer… I found myself between life and death. But thanks to the teams at Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, I’m still here to tell you my story.
In 2023, I was studying in Trois-Rivières, living a simple but full life, school, work, and, most of all, time with my friends. We’d meet at cafés or bars, go to music festivals, dance, and dream together about the summer ahead. I was truly happy. I was becoming an adult, and everything seemed possible… until the day my world collapsed.
It all started with a sudden drop in blood pressure. They told me, “Florence, there’s nothing to worry about.” But soon after, I developed a high fever. After several tests, the verdict came: mononucleosis. With some rest, I was sure everything would quickly go back to normal, but it didn’t.
“My life turned upside down. My urine became dark, and my eyes turned very yellow. I went to the hospital near my home, and within just a few hours, my condition became critical, I even went into respiratory arrest. They put me into a coma for several days. Something far more serious was hiding behind my mononucleosis. My immune system, instead of protecting me, was attacking me… In short, my own body was trying to kill me. When things still weren’t getting better, the medical team decided to transfer me to Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont. After a series of tests, they gave me the diagnosis: non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.”
Florence Hébert, Patient
My world collapsed. And you can imagine what it was like for my parents!
They had never seen anything like it, I had become a unique case, almost impossible to treat. The doctors called on top international specialists, and through that collaboration, they were able to understand the complexity of my condition. They then proposed a unique approach that could save my life: a stem cell transplant, specialized cell therapy treatments, and long months of hospitalization.
This experimental treatment, the one that would change my life, needed funding. Fortunately, the HMR Foundation, whose mission is to make research and the development of new treatments possible, stepped in. And thanks to the generosity of donors, I was able to access this highly specialized treatment.
The medical team managed to stabilize my condition while waiting to find a stem cell donor. That priceless gift arrived on October 26, 2023, a date I now celebrate as my second birthday. A rebirth filled with gratitude. Today, I’m alive. I’ve returned to my studies. I’m healthy. My immune system works normally again.
And now, in 2025, I’m alive, thriving, and back to living the life of a 21-year-old.
This story, I lived it, just as anyone could have. Through this experience, I learned that every day counts, and every action can change a life. The act of giving is essential in this chain of life. You have the power to make a difference and to help medical teams save more lives. I am living proof of what your generosity can achieve.
Giving isn’t just about healing, it’s about giving someone their future back. And you can make that happen.
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