Remembering Suri Gonshor

By Mike Cohen

For the Gonshor family — Abe, Shirley, Michael and Josh — a very sad anniversary has arrived as they mark 10 years since the untimely and tragic passing of their daughter and sister Sarah.

Affectionately known as “Suri,” she was only 21 when she lost her battle with cancer and had already become a young community leader, artist, teacher, singer and actress, who touched countless individuals with her warmth, smile, and genuine “joie de vivre.”

Suri’s spirit is still very much alive in the hearts and minds of her family, her friends and countless others. The Gonshors are now joining forces with the New Leadership Division of the Israel Cancer Research Fund (ICRF) to raise funds to honour Suri’s life, legacy and memory.

Their aim is to raise funds to support research, treatment and ultimately a cure for cancer that strikes young people. ICRF has raised more than $38 million funding Israeli researchers based in North America and in Israel whose projects are dedicated to improving the understanding and treatment of tumours.

The Montreal Chapter of the ICRF New Leadership Division will host a special event on Saturday March 27 (9 p.m.) at The Segal Center for Performing Arts (5170 Côte Ste. Catherine) where Abe handles sponsorship and Shirley sales. Michael and Josh are co-chairs of Suri’s Soirée: The Impossible IS Possible; A Celebration of Suri’s Life and Spirit. Guests will enjoy a martini bar while munching on hors d’oeuvres and desserts and grooving to the sounds of DJ NV Nazli Var, who regularly spins at Montreal hot-spot Garde Manger. Grammy-award winning musical guest Common is scheduled to perform a compilation of his most popular hip hop hits alongside his band. Canadian singer/songwritter Kuba Oms, who recently wowed crowds during outdoor shows at the Vancouver Winter Olympics, will also perform. CJAD’s Dan Laxer will be the master of ceremonies.

ICRF vice-president Jeffrey Bernstein says the evening’s goal is to raise $180,000. Bernstein notes that ICRF Montreal supports an Israeli researcher who comes to work at the Segal Cancer Centre of the Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital.

Recently, Dr. Ilan Bruchim worked with Dr. Walter Gotlieb to develop a new treatment for ovarian cancer that may one day replace highly toxic chemotherapy. The funds raised from the event will support a new researcher from Israel for a three-year research period here in Montreal. For event information go to www.icrfnewleadership.com.

CANCER AND YOUNG ADULTS: Still on a similar theme, a CIHR (Canadian Institute for Health Research)-sponsored Café Scientifique will take place on Monday March 22 (7-8:30 p.m.) at McGill’s New Residence Hall (3625 Avenue du Parc) entitled Cancer?! I Don’t Have Time For This: Cancer in Adolescents and Young Adults.

This free interactive information session is being presented by the McGill Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Oncology Program, Hope & Cope (Jewish General Hospital), Cedars CanSupport (McGill University Health Centre) and VOBOC (Venturing out beyond our Cancer).

Panelists will include medical oncologist Dr. Gerald Batist and psychologist Dr. Zeev Rosberger, as well as Deborah Bridgman, who was a mother of two young children when she was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 30.

She will be joined by her mother, Patricia Bridgman, who will speak from the perspective of the caregiver. A light supper will be served and reservations are essential. Please call 514-340-8255 or register on-line at mcgillaya@gmail.com

Have you got something for the Public Eye? Email mcohen@thesuburban.com or call 514-484-9203, ext. 307.