Our Unicorn

Heather and I were married for 25 years. In October 2021, she was diagnosed with a rare cancer called Multiple Myeloma, and our lives changed instantly in unimaginable ways.

With that diagnosis, we became part of a community we never knew existed, one that offered us immense support. We listened to others’ stories, finding both sadness and hope. We were hopeful as she underwent a double stem cell transplant. We were hopeful with every new medical trial we discovered. We were hopeful when her test numbers improved.

But then, more news came.

In November 2023, while battling Multiple Myeloma, Heather was diagnosed with Plasma Cell Leukemia. We were given two options: do nothing, and she would have 10-14 days to live, or start an immediate treatment that would be difficult and painful but could extend her life by a few months. Faced with this, what would you do? How do you make such an incredibly difficult choice? Even knowing the potential pain, her response was, “Well, I have to at least try!” She started the new treatment.

We called her our unicorn. A unicorn is defined as “something highly desirable but difficult to find or obtain.” Heather’s journey was incredibly difficult, with rare conditions accompanying her diagnosis, including a mutation with only a 0.05% chance of occurring. But if bad things could be unicorn moments, so could the good. We held onto hope, believing she could be the miracle unicorn who would not just survive, but thrive.

Her optimism, determination, and strength gave us four more months together. As therapies became ineffective and other treatment options ended, our time together dwindled.

So I ask again, what would you do?

We decided to live every day to the fullest, filled with family, friends, laughter, and experiences. We made memories on an unknown timeline. 

Heather left us on Good Friday, March 29, 2024, coincidentally the same date I met her all those years ago. Or was it a coincidence, I wonder?

In honour of Heather, we want to give the opportunity of choice. Sometimes in our lives we don't have a choice when it comes to your health, like Heather, or a job that you have to finish, or so many other things.  I am finding 50 random people to receive a gift of $200, and I ask that they do one of the following with it:

• Have an experience
• Give it to a cause meaningful to them
• Do both

Seeing people experiencing new things or enjoying their favorite activities is as important to us as charity. Experiences can be catalysts for good, creating lessons that lead to more good than a one-time donation. 

Does this mean charity is the wrong choice? Not at all. Giving is never wrong as it shows selflessness and love. Passion for a cause and the desire to make a difference are bigger than the donation itself.

What if they can’t choose? Splitting the money between the two is just as good of a choice as either of the other two.

There is one string attached to this gift. I only ask they share a picture and some words about their choice to be published on this website, a place to be inspired by each other’s hopefulness, joy, adventures, and choices.

Although we have lost Heather, we need to still look after one another, make new friends, smile often, enjoy life, discover new things, laugh, live, and love, just as Heather did.

Sincerely, 

Martin Montplaisir

Messages #FromHeather

P.S. As an evolution of Project Choice, Messages #FromHeather has been born. We will be sharing Messages #FromHeather decals with participants in Project Choice but this campaign will have a much wider reach. Be sure to get your decal and share our story with your contacts so we can share Messages #FromHeather far and wide! 

On March 29, 2024, Heather, the light of our family, left us peacefully after persevering through two years of Multiple Myeloma and most recently a rare secondary Plasma Cell Leukemia. She is greatly admired for her incredible resilience and positive attitude during that time. The magnitude of her strength through this journey cannot be measured, and she will be missed more than words can express.

Heather was born on January 19, 1973 in Vancouver, British Columbia and the family made their way east in 1975. She finished high school at Riverview High School ('91), graduated from University of New Brunswick ('95) and later went on to complete her MBA from the Université de Moncton ('02).

In 1995 she met Martin Montplaisir and they married in 1998. Martin knew her happiness to be priceless (and has the receipts to prove it) and together they built a beautiful life over the last 25 years. They shared a thirst for adventures (no matter the distance) but also cherished the time relaxing in the comfort of their home.

Read her full obituary...