Women Who Inspire: Alyssa Brandone
Senior Fund Development Coordinator
The first time I met John Marcovecchio from Magil Construction, he spoke to me about a cause very dear to his heart: the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada. He shared with me how a little girl that had been afflicted with leukemia helped change his life. Six months later, that little girl Alyssa Brandone, who is now a beautiful young woman walked into my office. She shared with me her inspiring journey back to health and her determination to give back. I’ve been a fan ever since.
What do you do?
I am a Senior Fund Development Coordinator for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society of Canada. My job is to raise funds for blood cancer research and for patient services. I recruit companies and help manage our committee of influential people in Montreal who want to raise funds. I meet them and help them come up with a fundraising plan.
How did you get into this role?
It dates back to when I was eleven, when I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. The doctors gave me less than a 10 percent chance of survival. At that moment, there was no option but to fight. I was in isolation for 6 months at the Montreal Children’s. I received 4 doses of very intense chemotherapy treatments. Luckily I am now in remission.
I actually studied art history. My goal was to work in a museum and be surrounded by art. When I graduated university, a position opened here. The now president, Alicia Talarico, told my mom, “Have Alyssa submit her C.V” And it all fell into place. I can’t imagine myself doing anything else now.
At what point in your life did you first learn about your field of work? What called you to it?
Actually, it was my mom. After my five-year remission, we had a ceremony and a little party, and we said, okay, we distanced ourselves enough from our cancer. I had gone into high school and everybody was saying, oh, there’s the girl who had cancer. I had no identity, that was all I was. So we all wanted to take the time to let things get back to normal.
After five years, my mom Googled leukemia foundation, or something like that, and the society had just started the Light the Night walk in 2006 here in Montreal. We went to the walk that year and never stopped going.
What/who inspires you?
In all honesty it’s my parents and my brother. They lead by example. They have such strength and determination that it’s hard not to be inspired by them.
What advice would you give the next generation?
Speaking on behalf of the society I would say really get involved with a cause that you’re connected to and try to make a difference
On the flip side, personally, it would be to never give up. When you’re faced with adversity you really need to push forward and fight. You could have moments when you feel weak. Give yourself those moments to cry or scream or question “why me?” but at the end of the day, there’s only one thing that can be done and that is to fight, move on and go.
What are your future goals?
I’m getting married this year, in August, so I really hope to travel more and really explore the world.
Professionally, I want to advance in blood cancer research.
Where do the funds go?
We fund blood cancer researchers. In Quebec alone, we are funding 15 researchers in multiple institutions. We also fund patient services and documentation.
When someone is first diagnosed the first thing they’re going to do is Google, which is the worst thing you can do. We have specific documentation on every type of blood cancer, and their side effects - short and long term.
We have programs like First Connection where we match a survivor with a newly diagnosed patient. We try to find someone who went through the same experience at the same age - maybe even the same side effects, transplant, no transplant - someone to connect to. We do a few programs like that. We go to the hospital, offer breakfast to the outpatients, and offer our support.
The Olimpia Questionnaire
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
My idea of perfect happiness? To be honest, I love when I’m home. My brother and his wife come over, my fiancé is over, I’m with my parents, and we’re so happy and carefree. It’s so nice to be sitting around the table and enjoying life at this moment because there was a time when we took it for granted.
What is your favourite quality in a friend?
Loyalty. Somebody who’s always going to be there for you, who will pick up the phone and drop whatever they need to, because they’re going to have your back. I’m really grateful I have two incredible best friends and they are my rocks.
What makes you feel powerful?
I feel powerful when I know I’ve made a difference.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Beating cancer. I’ve seen so many people get diagnosed, and they automatically think it’s a death sentence. Their morale is shot and they don’t realize that so much of healing is mental. It’s not just the medication. So honestly, fighting cancer is my greatest achievement. I did have moments of asking “Why me?”, at the beginning, but after that, I don’t remember a day where I wasn’t watching movies, or playing around in the room, messing with the nurses, playing pranks on them, just keeping the morale up. I was supposed to start high school that year, but I was confined to 4 walls. At that point you think, “This is my life.” Either I make my life so much more miserable by not accepting it, or I accept it, deal with it, and make the best out of what I have.
What is your motto?
“Never Give Up.”
To learn more about The Leukemia Lymphoma Society of Canada and the Light the Night Walk, visit the websites: www.illuminelanuit.ca and www.llscanada.org
