Young Devon, wise beyond his years By Katina Diep
are benign, Gillet said the treatments are very similar to the ones cancer patients must go through. “The effects are similar to real cancer. He had the same treatment and surgeries to remove the tumour, and radiation as well,” she explained. Devon’s condition is genetic, and his type of brain tumour is considered very aggressive. Statistically, specialists esti- mate the life expectancy of a patient diagnosed with such a condition to be 15 years. Devon was diagnosed with the condition at five, which would take him to age 20. Devon is already blind in his right eye and has to deal with weaknesses in his
arm. As the disease continues to ravage his body, the impact is inevitable. “The brain is like the hard drive of the body. Everything goes through the brain. Every breath we take, every heartbeat goes through our brain,” explained Gillet. Last year, Devon wanted to be involved with the fundraiser for brain cancer to help raise money to find a cure. “He’s honoured and excited to help find a cure,” Gillet said with pride. Special guests at the Vieux Duluth fund- raiser include Quebec rock singer Marjo, Dr. Paul Poirier from the Bikers Against Brain Cancer Event, and surgeon Dr. Kevin Petrecca.
This (Wednesday) evening, 10-year old Devon Payette will be a special guest at a fundraiser organized by the Bikers Against Brain Cancer Event, at Cornwall’s Vieux Duluth restaurant on Brookdale Avenue. Devon has been through a lot for his age, battling brain tumours that required complex surgeries. Kim Gillet, Devon’s mother, has accompanied her son through the obstacles over the years. “He’s an old soul; he’s a very empathetic guy and cares for people. It’s like he’s already 20 years old. People would stop and talk to him from the time he was very young,” recalls Gillet. It was only five years ago that Devon’s family received the official diagnosis that he had brain tumours. Although they
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