ADVIN.ORG - Association for the Défense of Victims of Nosocomial Infections

Claude was the owner of a garage in Montreal until his accident in 2001. He has always been very active in this community. Member of Les Chevaliers de Colomb as well as executive on the board of Le Comité Paritaire de l’ Automobile. As a result of a leg fracture, he was infected by MRSA during surgery. Since that time, he has had a constant battle with this insidious infection. Beign a member of ADVIN is for Claude an opportunity to fight not only for the cause, but for his very life. In 2009, Claude's leg is not cured and Claude lives under morphin and constant visits to the hospital for various treatments. His nightmare has not come to an end.

Graduate from Ottawa University in drama studies and from the Montreal Conservatory of dramatic Arts in stage performance. Amongst his major productions, Christian was director of “L’histoire des Atrides” by Jean-Pierre Ronfard and co director of “Crimes et Châtiments” presented by Absoluthéâtre.

He has been working as a drama department coordinator at FACE school in Montréal since 2000. Christian has joined ADVIN because commiting himself to social causes is part of his personal value system. Apart from being the association treasurer, he is also member of the board of executives.

Now retired, she used to be principal at FACE school, Montréal. She is also ADVIN president’s daughter and took part in the fondation of the association. She takes care of the association web site and is also the the Governing Board Secretary. «After having taking care of my father during his long ordeal in the hospital and at home, I realized how difficult it is to be a long term patient, and how vulnerable one becomes. Being ill and hospitalized is not fair, but getting infected by the hospital is even more not fair. One goes to a hospital to get cured not to become infected». I also believe that individual commitment as an ordinary citizen is essential if we want this society to improve.

 

A young lawyer specializing in road accident causes. Her father died of the C.difficile bacteria at the age of 56 in 2004. through this personal tragedy, Sophie was sensitised to the difficulties of hospital-acquired victims. She joined the association wishing to contribute her expertise and support.

I am president of “Premier Services de Remboursements Médicaux Inc” – a medical insurance company that I founded in 1992. Our company specializes in collective medical insurance for over 100 corporations counting between 50 to 1000 staff. I have been working in the same field for 42 years. I love my family and my company. I enjoy playing golf and listening to music. I am the father of 4 children and happy grand-father of 7 grand children. I was in a good health until I caught C.difficile. Dr Wasseff at St.Luc Hospital – Montréal- announced to my family that I would succomb to this illness within a fortnight. But after 2 weeks in a coma, I was still alive and I finally recovered with God’s help.

For many years,Jean Thouin been involved in community organisms in Longueuil and St-Jean-sur-Richelieu (Québec, Canada). In 1992, he is the founder of an association that aims at helping patients in their relationship with the health  and social system at all levels. Mr. Thouin is now director of the  organism «CAAP de Montérégie» - Centre d'Assistance aux Plaintes - which gives patients councelling on their rights and helps them write their complaints. Jean Thouin has joined ADVIN because he firmly believes that citizens get empowered when they associate and that this citizen's implication is the best way to improve our society. Health care centers must take into account their clientele, the patients if they really want to improve the quality of their services and make them more human.

Graduated from Collège André Grasset (Montréal) in Arts and Litterature/Multi media, Lucie Dorion has been always working in the field of multi medias. In 2008, she started her own photographs studio. She considers that ADVIN message needs to be spread because C. difficile as well as other hospital infections are avoidable and cost too much humanly and econmicaly.

Now retired and a busy grand-mother, Giselle Chevalier has worked most of her active life in education. Giselle considers that ADVIN carries an  important educative message that should be at the heart of all healthcare systems.