Loïk et Rafaël M.

Profile and story

For Loïk and Rafaël, being brothers means playing together, sharing a passion for hockey and baseball, but above all, looking out for one another. When asked what a hero is, they don’t have to look far: for Loïk, it’s Rafaël. For Rafaël, it’s Loïk.

Their story took a major turn in February 2023, when they were 4 and 6 years old. Loïk was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma and began treatment at the Charles-Bruneau Cancer Center at CHU Sainte-Justine. The months that followed were marked by hospital visits, treatments, and absences from school. Hockey, baseball, and travel also had to be put on hold. Among the moments that left a particularly strong impression on him, Loïk especially remembers having the dressing changed on his PICC line.

But Loïk’s diagnosis would also have significant repercussions for his brother. During his medical journey, a genetic disorder was identified. This led to genomic testing for the entire family. As a result, a predisposition to cancer was discovered in Rafaël. According to their family, this discovery helped them learn more about Rafaël’s condition, and in the fall of 2024, he, in turn, began a major course of treatment. Both brothers will eventually receive transplants. Their family sums up the significance of what was discovered through Loïk’s journey and research as follows: “Following Loïk’s diagnosis, Rafaël was able to receive his transplant as well.”

Their story thus illustrates in a very concrete way why research on pediatric cancers is essential. A better understanding of these diseases, their genetics, and the unique characteristics of each child can help guide care and provide more tailored treatments. Loïk and Rafaël have, in fact, benefited from research throughout their treatment journey. For their parents, the Charles-Bruneau Foundation represents, above all, the opportunity to “quickly learn about and understand this disease” and to access the care their boys needed.

Today, both brothers have completed their treatments. They’ve resumed playing sports and regained some of the daily life they’d missed so much. Loïk now dreams of returning to Costa Rica, while Rafaël—a goalie and big fan of Carey Price—dreams of one day playing in the NHL. And when they think about everything they’ve been through, both say they’re especially proud to have made it through their transplants and treatments.

At the Coupe Charles-Bruneau in Montreal, Loïk and Rafaël will be “Heroes” together. Their story reminds us that behind every breakthrough in research lies the potential to better understand, better treat, and tangibly change the course of a child’s care—and sometimes even that of a sibling.

And to the people who make these advances possible through their dedication, the boys have a very simple message: “A big thank you. Thanks to you, we were able to have our transplant.”