A little over six years ago, Patrice Bélanger and the Foundation of Governors of Hope found each other and contrary to what the expression says, they bonded, for the better.
“I like to say that chance does things well. In 2017, in preparation for the Grand Bal de l’Espoir, I replaced at short notice the host who had been planned for the evening, with a few weeks’ notice. I had heard about what the Foundation was doing, but only briefly. So I dive in and when I arrive there, I come across Lili-Rose’s parents who are rehearsing their words for the evening. Already I was touched. But when I see the video, a short 47 seconds of the life of a little flea who was sponsored by the Foundation, but who unfortunately died, I become emotional and I break down,” explains the spokesperson for the Foundation who is fell in love with the mission at that precise moment.
“Both parents said that the money they received could not have saved Lili-Rose, but that it had allowed them to drop out, to live the best three months with their daughter, without worrying about rent, gas , from the grocery store. To take a trip without thinking about illness, I began to understand what Governors do. To understand that it allows us to experience moments like these,” says Patrice Bélanger, still emotional when he recounts this first contact with the actors of the Foundation.
The real superheroes
Patrice Bélanger’s evening of entertainment unfolds with tears, laughter, special encounters, moments of emotion and he discovers the extent of the movement. “I meet with the people in charge and I say, if you are open, I would like to host again next year. A few days later, they come back to me and they tell me: you are a guy who speaks from his heart, with authenticity, who tells the truth. Not only would we like you to host next year, but we would like to offer you the title of spokesperson,” reveals the artist with a big heart.
Since then, Patrice Bélanger has become a governor himself, he sponsors families and he volunteers to host Foundation evenings, including the recent Lobster Dinner. “It allows me to see what happens to these families, these children affected by the disease, but also their siblings. The Foundation leaves no one behind. The other children of affected families suffer the collateral damage of the disease, but the Governors have them in their hearts and spoil them too,” he assures.
In this sense, he finds that he receives too much light compared to these heroes. “I am the spokesperson, people see me in front and throw flowers and compliments, but the real superheroes are the members of the board of directors of the Foundation, the employees, who study day and night the files that we receive, the Governors, but especially the sick children and their families. They are the ones who must be put forward,” affirms the humble actor who finds the time, despite a very busy schedule, to give back.
“I try to do my modest part through this small Foundation, which makes a big difference,” concludes Patrice Bélanger, a truly kind person.
