Back to Search
Melanie Rochon has spent 25 years making children smile as a dental hygienist at CHEO. But behind her own bright smile is a story of struggle and relentless advocacy — one that changed the lives of hundreds of Canadian families just like hers.
Her daughter, Camille, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) at just two months old. The chronic condition affects the lungs and digestive system, leading to breathing problems, lung infections and difficulty absorbing nutrients. For Camille, it has meant frequent CHEO admissions and missed milestones.
“Camille would be admitted two or three times a year,” says Melanie. “Each stay lasted two to three weeks. I would work all day downstairs at CHEO and then go sleep upstairs with her at night. That was our life for over a decade.”
But Melanie and her family never accepted CF as a life sentence. They became deeply involved with CF Canada – a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Canadians living with CF. When Melanie heard about Trikafta, a drug that reduces the amount of mucus in the lungs and digestive system, she collaborated with the organization on a campaign to bring the life-changing drug to Canada.
“When we found out the drug was available in 40 other countries but not ours, we knew we had to act,” she says. “We met with MPs, made calls, wrote letters — whatever it took.”
After years of tireless advocacy, it was approved for use in Canada in 2021, and Camille became the first patient at CHEO to receive it.
“I found out while I was at work. A co-worker came running to tell me and I just burst into tears,” says Melanie. “We knew how much it could change her life — and it did.”
A new chapter
Within days of starting the medication, Camille stopped coughing — something that had defined her daily life and been the soundtrack of the Rochon household.
“She used to cough going up stairs, laughing, running,” says Melanie. “Then suddenly, we noticed she wasn’t coughing anymore.”
Joanne Hammel, a registered nurse at CHEO’s CF Clinic and Camille’s long-time case manager, has been by the family’s side since diagnosis. CHEO’s CF clinic supports around 120 young patients and includes nurses, physicians, dietitians, physiotherapists and pharmacists. Together, they help families manage the complex and evolving needs of CF.
Hammel has witnessed firsthand the shift since Trikafta became available in Canada for patients age two and older.
“Trikafta has really improved quality of life for individuals with CF,” she says. “We’ve seen significant improvement in lung function, fewer chest infections, and better ability to gain and maintain weight.”
As for Camille, she has only been admitted to the hospital once since starting the drug — a staggering shift from the multiple admissions per year. Now in Grade 11, she was recently named Prime Minister of her school’s student council, works at a retirement home and even received a provincial leadership award for young women.
“She’s unstoppable,” says Melanie. “She’s never let CF define her — but now she doesn’t have to fight it the same way.”
While Trikafta has been life-changing for many, it isn’t a solution for everyone. A small number of people with rare mutations of CF still don’t qualify for the drug, and some families struggle with insurance coverage. Ongoing advocacy efforts continue for broader access.