Celine Dion's engagement against cystic fibrosis

Céline is devoted to numerous humanitarian causes. She is the President of Honor of the Foundation against Cystic Fibrosis and supports the T.J. Martell Foundation and the Bottom Memorial of Princess Diana of Galls.

Céline Dion began promoting public awareness of cystic fibrosis in 1982, when, as an adolescent, she embarked on her singing career. Throughout Céline's career, however, one element has remained constant - her commitment to the CF cause. That commitment is marked by real life tragedy : Céline's niece, Karine, her sister Liette's daughter, who had been born with this disease affecting lungs and digestive system.

Céline began supporting the CF cause at the regional level of the Foundation, through her collaboration with the Quebec Cystic Fibrosis Association (QCFA), the Foundation's provincial arm in Quebec. She helped spread the CF message by participating in media interviews, QCFA public service campaigns and fundraising activities.

In May 1993, Karine lost her battle against cystic fibrosis and went out slowly in the arms of her aunt Céline, at the age of 16 :

"I went near her, tells Céline, she was slept; she had the strength to get up, and I, I was behind her to try to support little with my body her back, because she was bent; she got up, she took my arm under her; I loosened her hair, and I sang in her ear, and like that, Eddy's song came to me to the idea: Les Oiseaux du Bonheur; I sang this song very slowly and quite slowly, I felt that, these organs, each, one after the other, left us, because my body was very near her, and I felt that they left us; and I did sign to my family which was on the edge, and for my mother (she shakes the head), while singing, I did not (she jumps), no, everybody knows, then I looked at the family, I did (she shakes again the head) and I continued to sing; she left slowly like that; I am so satisfied to have sung her a song before she leaves, and before she gave me this luck to accompany her, it is the most beautiful gift... "

The lucidity, the determination and the courage shown by Karine throughout her endless fight against the disease represented a source of motivation and inspiration for Céline. For all the Quebeckers, Céline and Karine symbolized the fight of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Fondation and all the patients that she represents against this terrible disease.

Céline recorded several songs, dedicated to her niece, MÉLANIE and VOLE (FLY in English on the album FALLING INTO YOU).

In August 1993, Céline strengthened her commitment by graciously accepting the Foundation's invitation to be its national Celebrity Patron. As part of her increased involvement, Céline participated in the Foundation's Canada-wide public awareness campaign, from 1994 to 1997. The central message of this campaign featuring Céline and Chanelle Lemieux Lecavalier, a child with CF from Hull, Quebec, was one of both hope and urgency. Hope, that a cure or an effective control for cystic fibrosis will be found. Urgency, for continued public support is required to realize this goal.

"Against the CYSTIC FIBROSIS: the wonderful cure, it is YOU." - Céline

In addition to promoting public awareness of the CF cause, Céline generates significant revenues for cystic fibrosis research and treatment from Canadian and international sources, and has generously donated to the Foundation her appearance fees from several concerts and guest appearances.

There is no doubt that Céline's immense popularity, both in Canada and internationally, will continue to benefit the CF cause. As her songs reach a wider audience all over the world, she is now in a position to appeal to the generosity of a greater number of people. Each year and each step of her involvement have brought us closer to victory against cystic fibrosis.

The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
2221, Yonge Street, Suite 601
Toronto (Ontario)
M4S 2B4
Canada

Telephone : (416) 485-9149, 1 800 378-2233
Fax : (416) 485-0960
E-mail : info@cysticfibrosis.ca
Website : http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca

Celine's volunter support

1982
Céline accepts the title of "Marraine" of the Quebec Cystic Fibrosis Association (QCFA)

1983
Accompanied by the Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand-Montréal, Céline gives her first solo benefit concert at the Place des Arts in Montreal.

1984
Céline records her first televised CF public service announcement with her niece, Karine.

1985
Céline participates in a benefit gala, in Ottawa, following a special game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Edmonton Oilers.

1986
Céline's song "Mélanie", which has come to be associated with cystic fibrosis, wins many prestigious awards.

1987
Céline records a public service announcement with Caroline Pazzy, who has cystic fibrosis.

1988
Céline gives a benefit concert for cystic fibrosis at the CÉGEP Édouard-Montpetit and the Polyvalente André-Laurendeau in Saint-Hubert, Quebec.

1989
Céline chairs two important press conferences: in August, the announcement of the discovery of the gene responsible for cystic fibrosis; and in September, the first double lung transplant in Quebec on a patient with CF.

1990
Céline participates in a televised benefit gala for CF—A Gift of Love organized by Mrs. Mila Mulroney and featuring David Foster, Christopher Plummer, and many other celebrities.

Céline records a public service announcement for the QCFA's 1990 fundraising campaign.

She acts as spokesperson for the first Quebec-wide fundraising draw supporting CF research.

1991
Céline records a video public service announcement for the 1991 QCFA's campaign.

To mark the 10th Anniversary of her career and of her volunteer work for the QCFA, she gives a benefit concert at the Montreal Forum and the Agora de Québec.

1993
In May, Céline's niece, Karine, loses her fight against cystic fibrosis and dies in Céline's presence.

In August, Céline agrees to expand her role in the CF community, by accepting the position of Celebrity Patron of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

1994
Céline participates with Chanelle Lemieux Lecavalier, a nine-year old with CF from Hull, Quebec, in the Foundation's national public awareness campaign.

In December, Céline performs a CF benefit concert at Montreal's Palais des Congrès.

On the occasion of their wedding, Céline and René Angélil invite guests to contribute their wedding gifts to the CF cause.

1996
On December 10, Céline performs a CF benefit concert at a gala dinner at Montreal's Palais des Congrès. During this concert, she announces a major new sponsorship with Royal Airlines that she personally helped to secure for the Canadian CF Foundation.

1997
Céline very generously donates her appearance fees from a New York City concert, and from her guest appearance on the television show, The Nanny, to the Foundation's SPARX program.

1998
En avril 1998, Céline reçoit le titre d'Officier de l'Ordre du Québec. Un mois plus tard, elle reçoit le titre d'Officier de l'Ordre du Canada.

On September 6, Céline performs a benefit concert in Toronto, raising almost $1 million for CF research.

She appears on the 100th episode of the television program Touched by an Angel. Her appearance fee for this episode is donated to the Foundation.

1999
Céline performs a benefit concert in Palm Beach, Florida for the CF cause. Part of the proceeds are donated to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Céline agrees to wear a pair of diamond-studded Ray-Ban sunglasses to the Academy Awards, in exchange for a contribution to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

On December 31, Céline performs a benefit concert in Montreal for several causes, including cystic fibrosis. It is her last concert before her sabbatical leave from the professional scene.

2000 - 2001
Céline and her manager and husband, René, take a leave from their professional duties. However, they remain strong supporters of the CF cause, and continue to represent a constant source of hope and inspiration for all individuals and families affected by cystic fibrosis.

[Source : http://www.cysticfibrosis.ca]