This article was originally published in the September 2021 edition of Héma-Québec’s Magazine.

Paule and Sophie, mothers of Jérémy and Catherine, human tissue donors

A story of love and giving of oneself

Catherine Poulin and Jérémy Routhier, unifiers, inspiring, and full of plans, were loved by everyone. They had their whole lives ahead of them. But fate decided otherwise. In January 2020, when they were both 17 years old, the lovers died in a tragic car accident.

Catherine’s mother, Sophie Thivierge, remembers that fateful night when the police knocked on her door and then her arrival at the hospital. She was plunged into a true nightmare, but it was an easy decision to make when the medical team raised the possibility of organ and tissue donation: “It was an obvious choice. Despite her young age, my daughter had clearly informed us of her decision if anything were to happen to her. Just as Jérémy had done with his family. That’s why we didn’t hesitate.”

Since then, the Thetford Mines woman has befriended Jérémy’s mother. Although they still feel the pain of losing their children, they find some comfort in the thought that multiple people have been able to regain their health thanks to Jérémy’s and Catherine’s donations.

A story of love and giving of oneself that reminds us of the importance of indicating our consent to donate in one of the of the official registers and, above all, informing our loved ones of our wishes.