Honouring Richard-Tomy Leboeuf-McGregor, an MUHC patient championing the fight against cystic fibrosis

I met Richard about eight years ago when he was a patient at the Montreal Chest Institute of the MUHC. When we first met, Richard immediately expressed interest in becoming an advocate and joined our team to improve the quality of services provided to patients of the Institute, both in acute care and long-term care. Both patients and caregivers appreciated Richard’s contribution, recognizing his great resilience, his quiet strength, and his ability to listen and empathize with the sick.

Richard’s life was suddenly full of new promises five years ago after undergoing a double-lung transplant because of cystic fibrosis. Richard started traveling the world without ever putting aside his commitment to patients, especially those with cystic fibrosis. He ran as a sovereign candidate in provincial and municipal elections in Montreal. Richard, who did his best to enjoy all life offered him, continued to honor his social commitment and became Director-General of Living with Cystic Fibrosis Québec, an organization whose mission is to promote and protect the rights and interests of people living with cystic fibrosis and represent them before Government authorities, particularly to facilitate organ donation. Richard continued his work with the MUHC Users’ Committee, representing them on the nursing committee of the medical mission while in charge of this organization.

Many of Richard's travels were related to his commitments to cystic fibrosis patients. It was precisely during a trip to attend the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC) in Denver this past October that Richard fell into a coma and embarked on his last voyage. He is no longer physically among us, but the fruits of his work for MUHC users and cystic fibrosis patients will remain present for a long time.

To support Richard's work, please visit: http://www.vivr.com/cysticfibrosis/

Pierre Hurteau,

Spokesperson of the MUHC Users Committee