'I don't want to die': Quebec singer Ginette Reno hospitalized with rare heart condition
Quebec singer Ginette Reno revealed Saturday in a social media post from her hospital room that she is struggling with a rare heart condition.
Reno was taken to hospital after fainting on Thursday. Since then, she says, she endured symptoms of what she called "a very rare disease." She did not say exactly what her condition was.
"I am writing to you from my hospital room to reassure you that I am in many good hands," she said in her Saturday post.
"Basically my heart had a blackout. I almost died," wrote the singer. "I want to tell you that I don't want to die. I still have so much to accomplish!"
She says she was admitted to Pierre-Boucher Hospital in Longueuil, where she says she'll remain until she's "fully on [her] feet and in good health."
She says her fainting episode, which brought her to hospital in the first place, resulted in a newfound appreciation for life.
"I just woke up to a new vision, a new understanding," she said. "I finally understood that each of us has a different fight, but it's almost always the same fight. I'm not alone anymore and I never will be."
"We are all linked to each other by this cord of love that exists within each of us."
In her statement, she thanked hospital and emergency staff by name, including a nod to Ricardo, her provided body guard.
"Don't get me wrong: he's not the same Ricardo," she said, in reference to the celebrity cook Ricardo Cuisine, on whose show she has appeared.
Reno's career has brought her international fame and recognition, producing more than 40 albums and compilations, not to mention the multiple distinctions and awards honouring her powerful and unique voice.
The singer released a new album of 14 tracks last May. According to the information available on her website, no tour dates or event appearances have been scheduled.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Woman, 18, killed by co-worker's vehicle on Highway 1 in Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw police say an 18-year-old woman who was at work has died from injuries she sustained in a collision with a vehicle being driven by her co-worker last Thursday.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
MPs to vote on NDP motion calling on Canada to recognize Palestinian statehood
Members of Parliament will vote Monday on a motion from the federal New Democrats, calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine,' among a range of other calls to action in regards to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.