In Montreal, the passion for ball hockey takes on a dimension far greater than sport thanks to the Coupe Charles-Bruneau. Every year, teams from all walks of life come together not only to compete on the playing field, but above all to support a cause that unites us all: giving children with cancer hope for a cure.
Behind every stick swing and every goal scored are stories of courage, solidarity, and generosity. It is for children like Émile, Ophélie, and Alicia, the heroes and heroines of the event, that they will push themselves to new heights.
Émile, 8 years old, in remission from Burkitt lymphoma
A big hockey fan, Émile, 8, perfectly embodies the spirit of the Coupe Charles-Bruneau with his kindness, empathy, and competitive spirit.
In September 2024, Émile was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma. The news came as a shock to the whole family. True to form, Émile is going through treatment with boundless energy and a contagious smile. “It’s thanks to his extraordinary strength that we were able to remain hopeful and positive from start to finish,” say his parents, filled with pride. Thanks to research supported by the Charles-Bruneau Foundation, they received a message of hope as soon as the diagnosis was announced: Émile’s cancer was 97% curable. “There was no better news for our family,” they recall.
Today, Émile is in remission! He has even started playing hockey with his friends again, much to his delight. A sports lover, math fan, and builder of blanket forts in his spare time, he will be the Hero of the Coupe Charles-Bruneau in Montreal on September 27. And if he could choose a superpower today? Without hesitation: to cure all sick children.
Ophélie, 13, in remission from a germ cell tumor of the yolk sac
The heroine of the Coupe Charles-Bruneau in Montreal, 13-year-old Ophélie will add her own touch of style to the event. How will you recognize her? Look for the most fashionable girl there!
In November 2024, her life was turned upside down after a worrying call from her doctor. She was rushed to the Montreal Children’s Hospital, where a battery of tests revealed a 25 cm cancerous mass, requiring urgent surgery the very next day. Three cycles of treatment later, Ophélie can now proudly say, “I am in remission.”
During her treatments, she had only one obsession: eating sushi again! Her father smiles as he recounts how much she missed this little pleasure. Now free of her treatments, she savors every bite… but above all, she rediscovers the joy of spending time with her friends, playing Roblox, and finding the latest fashion trends.
What Ophélie would like to say to the participants of the Coupe Charles-Bruneau in Montreal is: “Thank you for your support. Thanks to your efforts and donations, it is more comforting to fight this disease and we feel supported in the face of this immense challenge.”
Alicia, 16, undergoing treatment for type B acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Who better than Alicia—always with a hockey stick in her hand—to embody the heroine of the Coupe Charles-Bruneau in Montreal?
In August 2024, her life was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia type B. Since then, Alicia has been undergoing treatment with determination, despite the many restrictions that limit her passions: fewer outings, less sports… and above all, less hockey. Yet nothing has prevented her from completing her senior year of high school with flying colors.
When asked what she is most proud of, she simply replies: “Everything I’ve accomplished.” And she’s absolutely right!
Insatiably curious, Alicia loves to learn about a thousand and one subjects. But her heart beats to the rhythm of hockey. Her dream? To play in the PWHL. Her idol? The inspiring Marie-Philip Poulin.
For her parents, the Charles-Bruneau Foundation is “a team that takes children’s health to heart.” And they add, with smiles on their faces: “We are happy to have met all these kind-hearted people, whom we affectionately call our hearts on two legs.”
