In the heart of Montreal, a quiet but powerful movement is gaining momentum, one that brings together personal loss, scientific purpose, and local community spirit. At the center of it is Gordon Frank, a well-known Montreal entrepreneur and philanthropist whose life was deeply affected by cancer. After losing both his mother and younger brother to the disease, Gordon transformed grief into meaningful action. His mission? To support genetic cancer research and awareness through the Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Foundation (HBOC), and to rally local businesses to stand beside him.
Turning Personal Tragedy into Community Impact
Gordon Frank’s involvement with HBOC is rooted in personal experience, but his efforts have blossomed into a community-wide initiative. He has become a vocal advocate for the foundation’s work, which focuses on familial breast, ovarian, and male cancers such as prostate and pancreatic cancer, diseases often linked to inherited gene mutations like BRCA1 and BRCA2.
“Genetic screening is the goal, and I’m involved,” says Gordon. “The earlier we detect hereditary risks, the more lives we can save. But to make that happen, we need more than medical professionals, we need the business community on board.”
A Local Foundation with a National Reach
Headquartered in Montreal, the Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Foundation (HBOC) is the only national organization in Canada focused exclusively on hereditary cancers. Entirely volunteer-run, the foundation ensures that 100% of donations are used for public awareness, research support, and patient education programs. Their work directly supports initiatives led by Dr. Harley Eisman, Director of Pediatric Emergency Services at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, who is advancing genetic screening protocols for cancer detection and prevention.
Learn more about HBOC: https://hboc.ca
Local Businesses Stepping Up
Gordon’s call to action has not gone unheard. Several respected Montreal businesses have already joined the effort:
- Maqsim Furniture Cleaning & Protection, a long-time supporter of community causes, pledged support by helping raise awareness through their digital platforms and client network.
- Location Celefête, a popular event rental company, joined the campaign to show that even businesses focused on celebration can help safeguard the future of local families.
“Working with these businesses has been inspiring,” Gordon explains. “Their involvement proves that corporate responsibility can go hand in hand with compassion and local pride.”
Why This Matters to Every Business
Many business owners may not realize how hereditary cancer could be affecting their employees, clients, or even their own families. An estimated 5–10% of breast cancers and up to 15% of ovarian and prostate cancers are linked to inherited gene mutations ,often discovered too late.
With greater awareness and access to early genetic screening, people at risk can make proactive healthcare decisions, including more frequent testing, preventive treatment, or surgery. Supporting HBOC not only saves lives, it promotes long-term well-being across the workforce and community.
How to Get Involved
Gordon Frank is encouraging more local businesses to:
- Sponsor HBOC events or campaigns
- Feature the foundation on their websites or social media
- Host internal fundraisers or education sessions
- Pledge a portion of sales or services to support the cause
- Make a direct donation or become a volunteer partner
Even small actions can have a big ripple effect, especially when businesses work together.
A Message from Gordon to Montreal Businesses
“This is a Montreal-based initiative that can change lives across Canada,” Gordon says. “If you’re a business owner — large or small — your voice matters. You can use your platform to raise awareness, support research, and help prevent the heartbreak that far too many families go through.”
He adds, “Let’s show that in Montreal, we take care of each other, not just in good times, but when it matters most.”
