Joanna Comtois
École secondaire Cap-Jeunesse

Each week, as a writer, I have the chance to talk to enthusiastic young people who strive to attain personal success as well as that of their school and even their community. And every time, I am amazed by their determination, courage and perseverance. But when it comes to Joanna Comtois, a Secondary 2 student at Cap-Jeunesse high school in Saint-Jérôme, these words take on a whole new meaning. A meaning that in turn is a reminder that, thanks to the strength of character and personal commitment of people like 13-year-old Joanna who is battling the recurrence of a virulent form of cancer, you must never give up. “Where there’s life, there’s hope,” she said to me.

Joanna was only 8 years old when doctors diagnosed her as having Ewing’s sarcoma, a somewhat rare type of bone cancer found mainly in children and young adults. “I was too young to understand what it really was, but I saw my father crying and realized it must be serious,” recounts Joanna.

A whole year of medical treatment followed, including operations, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. During this time, Joanna continued to pursue her studies, receiving help at home from teachers and taking advantage of moments of respite to study and do her schoolwork. Following the treatment, she spent three wonderful years in remission.

Sadly, in July 2008, just before Joanna was due to enter high school, doctors told her the cancer had returned. “It was a very difficult time for me. A relapse is hard to deal with because you know what you are going to have to endure. You’re back at square one and it’s not easy on the morale.”

For Joanna, renouncing her battle against the disease or giving up school was simply out of the question. “For me, it’s important to continue attending class and live a normal life for a girl my age. I don’t want to feel excluded.”

A year and a half has now passed and Joanna is in Secondary 2 and still fighting for her life. Every day, she heads to school, attends morning classes, and then goes back home for the afternoon to rest and get ready for a visit from teachers who help her make up for lost time. And Joanna will never be happy with just passing marks. She works very hard to obtain above-average grades.

“Joanna has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, a will to conquer defeat worthy of the most steadfast of explorers and an outgoing and contagious positive attitude. Her smile alone makes us forget our little everyday qualms with which we absurdly feel we are afflicted,” wrote school principal Brigitte Blouin.

As perseverance is part of Joanna’s everyday life, despite her young age, she chose to get involved in raising funds for cancer research, in collaboration with Sainte-Justine hospital. In November 2009, she set up the Fondation Espoir and has already succeeded in raising over $6,000.

When I interviewed her, Joanna said she felt in top shape, without however daring to go too deep into the subject. “I take things one day at a time,” she wisely asserted.

Delighted by the fact that she seemed to be doing better, I asked her about the future and her chances of winning her battle against the illness. My enthusiasm was short-lived. “The doctors told me I didn’t have a chance, but I remain hopeful. Where there’s life, there’s hope,” she repeated.

Tears suddenly welled in my eyes. And then when she told me that she was going through an even more difficult period because she’d also just lost her father a few months before, I could no longer hold back the tears.

Despite everything, Joanna remains optimistic and continues on her academic path. She wants to one day be a fashion designer or, why not, perhaps a singer. I am certain however that Joanna has all it takes to fulfil her wildest dreams and this is something she reveals on a daily basis by demonstrating such strong perseverance. All she is lacking is her health, and this is something I wish with all my heart that she will one day have!

You can make a donation to Joanna’s foundation by visiting the following Web site: http://activites.fondation-sainte-justine.org/ and clicking on Espoir.

Joanna Comtois
École secondaire Cap-Jeunesse