The second annual Coda Gala, held in honour of World Cancer Day on February 22, united over 235 attendees—including oncologists, cancer survivors, and medical professionals—in a shared effort to support cancer patients. The evening marked the student-led organization’s first major fundraising event as a registered charity under the name The Coda Foundation.
Coda began in 2019 as a passionate student initiative at Marianopolis College, driven by the mission to raise cancer awareness, support patient care, and advance research. In 2021, it was reimagined and expanded by McGill medical students from both the Montreal and Outaouais campuses—many of whom have since matched into residencies ranging from cardiac surgery to rural family medicine. As of April 2024, The Coda Foundation has grown into a registered charity, proudly uniting 17 academic institutions across Quebec and Ontario.
The gala raised over $17,000 from ticket sales, raffle prizes and many generous donations. All proceeds will go to support The Coda Foundation and its initiatives, including the Coda Comfort Crew, which trains youth volunteers to provide companionship and emotional support to chemotherapy patients in underserved communities, such as the Gatineau Cancerology Centre.
“Sometimes, the most profound impact isn’t in curing a disease but in ensuring no one fights it alone,” said Nihari Senaratne, Administrative Director of Coda. “No title, qualification, or experience is needed to make a difference—just a willingness to care.”
The Coda Foundation looks forward to hosting more special events in the years ahead. To learn more or donate, please visit https://codafoundation.ca/.
Related:
McGill student-led initiative Coda holds gala in support of cancer patients