Research award created in honour of Quebec man who died of cancer shortly after becoming a father
On Monday, Samaneh Poursaman and her 11-month-old daughter Nika walked the halls of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), once a home for them.
Nika lived there for the first two months of her life while her father, Sooran Noroozi, underwent treatment for sarcoma.
"It's not something that you ever imagined that your pregnancy and having your firstborn would look like, but this is life," Poursaman said.
Noroozi died in July, but his memory lives on through the Sooran Noroozi Sarcoma Research Award, which provides $10,000 to a young researcher.
"All the money that was raised for this award came through her and her effort, through our website to raise this money with her network," said Marie-Helene Laramee, the CEO of the MUHC Foundation.
The first recipient is Dr. Joseph Petruccelli, who has big plans to change how patients receive care.
"We're doing research with generative AI [artificial intelligence] in order to predict patient trajectories and figure out what are the future needs of our patients of today," Petruccelli said.
Two years ago, Noroozi was diagnosed with sarcoma, a painful cancer that affects bones and muscles.
His doctor at the time remembers the family's remarkable story.
"We've never had in this hospital a patient who was getting chemotherapy while his wife is delivering a baby," said Dr. Ramy Saleh, a medical oncologist. "Then, they live together on the floor of a cancer patient floor."
Noroozi was a chemical engineer who loved science. The award was presented on his birthday, and his wife is certain Sooran would be thrilled.
"He would quite like the way that we are celebrating now," Poursaman said. "The way that we are taking a step toward advancing science, which he was a big fan of."
Samaneh plans to raise money every year to be sure her husband's legacy lives on and to help other families fighting sarcoma.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Debunking the 'anti-sunscreen' movement: Doctors say TikTok trend is dangerous
Dermatologists are sounding the alarm about misinformation from the anti-sunscreen movement, saying not wearing sunscreen can cause cancer and other problems.
Poilievre Conservatives offer to help Trudeau Liberals pass foreign interference bill
Pierre Poilievre's Conservative Party is offering to help Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government pass a piece of legislation aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada.
DEVELOPING Key witness lied on stand, Trump lawyer tells jurors during closing arguments in hush money trial
Donald Trump's landmark hush money trial turns on the testimony of a prosecution witness who told lies on the stand and cannot be trusted, a defence lawyer said Tuesday during closing arguments.
Ont. university says professor fired over 'unethical' sexual relationships with students
An associate professor at McMaster University has been fired after its board of governors found that he engaged in 'unethical, inappropriate and in some instances exploitative' sexual relationships with students.
Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity lead venue to apologize
The actor Richard Dreyfuss showed up in a dress at a 'Jaws'-themed event in Massachusetts, where the blockbuster 1975 movie he starred in was shot, and then proceeded to make demeaning remarks about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity.
Quebec homeowner recalls moment tornado hit his farmhouse west of Montreal
A homeowner in western Quebec is recounting a narrow escape after his home was hit by a tornado Monday afternoon.
WATCH Airline pilot treated to stunning northern lights show during U.S.-Portugal flight
An airline pilot got quite a show on May 11 while flying from San Francisco to Lisbon when a solar storm caused stunning auroras.
Severe thunderstorms, 15 cm of snow: Canadian weather forecast highlights
Well into spring, some parts of Canada could experience a wintry comeback, while other areas are bracing for severe thunderstorms, according to local forecasts.
Canada's professional women’s soccer league name unveiled
Canada is set to embrace a new chapter in women’s soccer with the official unveiling of the new name of the professional league.