Alex Tourangeau wins his battle with childhood cancer

Alex Tourangeau wins his battle with childhood cancer
A team of superheros arrives at the Royal Canadian Legion to celebrate Alex Tourangeau's last cancer treatment. From left

CORNWALL, Ontario – It was like a scene right from Hollywood boulevard. Supportive fans huddled by the front entrance of the venue, while the limousine pulled up in the parking lot.

Soon, the man of the hour stepped out, accompanied by family, friends, and a bouquet of balloons. For everyone at the Royal Canadian Legion on Sunday, Nov. 27, Alex Tourangeau is their hero.

It’s been three and a half long years for the Tourangeu family, but today, they finally made it. After battling Leukemia since July of 2013, Alex Tourangeau got to finally ring the bell, signalling he is done treatment.

“Today we are celebrating Alex’s end of treatment,” said mother, and local organizer, Cheryl Tourangeau. “On Thursday the 24th he rang the end of treatment bell, so now he is done. There is no evidence of disease, and he is looking fantastic he is finished with 1152 doses of chemo, 27 lumbar punctures, 10 sessions of radiation, and blood transfusions and…it’s been a long road, but we made it!”

Alex’s friends and family had the opportunity to celebrate with him Sunday afternoon. By 1 o’clock, over 50 people had assembled at the Legion, with many more expected to drop in before 3 p.m. A cake decorated with Captain America, fitting for Alex, was provided, along with other refreshments, and a slideshow displaying the Tourangeau’s long journey since 2013.

But, for the Tourangeau’s, the battle against childhood cancer is not over.

“We’re still going to do fundraisers for Ronald McDonald House. In May we’re going to have bowling going on at Nativity Bowling Lanes,” said Cheryl Tourangeau. “Because childhood cancer is so underfunded and under-researched. Everything goes into adult cancers, and we need to focus on cures and prevention and medicine for the kids. The kids all get adult chemo, and that’s just too hard on their bodies. We need to keep raising awareness and keep fundraising and make childhood cancer only something in history textbooks.”

For Alex, today was less about the uphill battle he has fought for three and a half years, and more about celebrating the life he has ahead of him. And, that life includes dropping the puck at the National’s game against Port Huron on Dec. 4 at 1 p.m.

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