A great football fan, Étienne Drouin, 48, from Quebec City suffered quite a blow when he learned in December 2021 that he was afflicted with cancer which left him paralyzed. As the Super Bowl approaches, he launches the second edition of a campaign to encourage fans of the sport to donate blood.
“I had a perfect life,” says the former centre-back.
Great career in finance, a happy and dedicated father, he mightn’t ask for more in life until the day everything changed.
“After a sleepless night because I had back pain, I sat down in a chair and suddenly felt my legs jerking. Within 20-30 seconds I lost feeling in my legs and in my chest. I have been paralyzed since then down to the middle of my chest. »
He was rushed to the hospital, then the verdict fell, following several examinations.
“I had metastases attacking my spine. When I woke up that morning I was walking. By 5 o’clock in the evening, I mightn’t walk anymore and I had cancer. It’s been a tough day. »
A family passion
“It’s stage 4 cancer. I can’t be cured. We try to prevent it from progressing. A year later, I’m at the same stage as I was last year, which is great news,” he adds.
His passion for football has not disappeared, however. His eyes light up when he broaches the subject.
“I fell into it when I was young. It’s really a family passion with us, ”says the ex-player and coach.
As a player, he played with the Cactus of Collège Notre-Dame, in Montreal, and also with the Trappeurs of Collège Marie-Victorin, in more than 16 seasons as a coach.
Very early in the process, he avoided feeling sorry for himself and his loved ones.
“When you live this news and these emotions, you find strengths that you did not think you had”, confided Étienne Drouin.
50e don
At the start of his treatment, he received several blood transfusions. He understands more than anyone the importance of donating blood.
Before falling ill, he was a regular at collections, accumulating 49 donations to his credit.
Through his initiative now, he invites the football community from across Quebec to donate blood between now and the Super Bowl to help him symbolically reach his 50th donation.
“I’ve never had any major obstacles in my life. I’ll remember that and make the best of what I have left. […] I try to enjoy life to the fullest,” he shared.
