Cœur en tête

	Nathalie Buisson and Dr. David Fortin, Cœur en tête 2006

In 2004, Nathalie Buisson, former dancer with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, learned that she had brain cancer and that medical science had no available cure. Her own research led her to the neuro-surgeon and neuro-oncologist, Dr. David Fortin from Le Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke (CHUS). He proposed her a risky and uncommon surgery.

Largely unknown to the general public and incurable, brain cancer kills more people year after year. Research remains the only hope for patients. Nathalie Buisson has decided to fight by creating the Coeur en tête event, an extraordinary evening of dance. The profits are donated to the CHUS Foundation to invest in brain cancer research.

The first edition was held in 2006 and shedded light unto Dr. Fortin's work. He is now incumbent of La Chaire Banque Nationale on brain cancer treatment, created in January 2007.

Medical Report on Brain Tumours (french)

Dr. Fortin’s work on brain cancer

Of all cancers, brain cancer is one of the most agressive and most difficult to treat. Dr. Fortin along with his team at the CHUS introduced an innovative treatment, the blood-brain barrier disruption procedure, which is unique in Canada. Hundreds of patients have benefitted from this treatment and the results have been published in several scientific journals. The survival rate of the patients treated has been significantly prolonged compared to more standard techniques.

Dr. Mathieu, a member of Dr. Fortin's team, uses the gamma-knife, which is a highly sophisticated device that makes it possible to apply doses of radiotherapy in a more precise way. The combination of these two techniques is unique in the country.

Quality of life of patients is also one of the areas of concern of Dr. Fortin's team members and they conduct many research projects on this subject. The research team believes that all aspects of the disease should be studied in order to improve the day-to-day lives of patients.

2009 Edition

On March 17, 2009, the audience was charmed by the wonderful evening of dance. The event, Coeur en tête, was a great success and raised $150 000 for brain cancer research. Nathalie Buisson and her team did a great job.

Lynn Charpentier (CHUS Foundation), Dr. David Fortin (neuro-surgeon and neuro-oncologist at the CHUS), Michèle Dionne (honorary chairwoman), Nathalie Buisson (event investigator), Dr. Yves Bolduc (Minister of Health and Social Services) and Patricia Gauthier (CHUS director general).

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