Alexandre Parks

“I learned that everyone has their destiny and that we should not take life for granted because we do not know when it will end.”

– Alexandre Parks

Alexandre had a zest for life and he left his mark on everyone he met. Alexandre freely gave his time and support to his friends and colleagues. His resilience and positive attitude made him a unique and exceptional person who unwaveringly overcame adversities. He shines as an example of integrity and perseverance to everyone who knew him.

He taught us to live in the present moment. At age 15 he said, “I learned that everyone has their destiny and that we should not take life for granted because we don’t know when it will end.”

Alexandre passed on December 21, 2017 at age 26. To honor the extraordinary life of their son, Nicole Gautreau Parks and Cecil Parks created the Fonds de bourses Alexandre-Parks Scholarship and Bursary Fund in 2018 and the Fondation Alexandre-Parks Foundation in 2020, a registered charity. He lives on through this scholarship created in his name and he continues to inspire others to follow his example!

Friends affectionately called him ‘Parks’ and his short but exemplary life continues to inspire everyone who learns of his story and accomplishments. He was determined to live his life, his way.

Alexandre’s life was short but full. His memory lives on within us and he will always be a shining example of perseverance.

A native of Grande-Digue, New Brunswick, Alexandre’s first symptoms appeared at the age of 4½ months, and 19 months later, he was diagnosed with a very rare autoimmune disease of the digestive system. Doctors held little hope for his survival.

Alexandre spent most of his first two years in hospitals, and from then on, fed exclusively on a special liquid formula containing essential nutrients for his subsistence.

During his 26 years of life, this formula was his only diet!

Due to his precarious medical condition, Alexandre lived isolated from society for several years. His fragile immune system made him vulnerable to infections, so that even a common cold was dangerous for him. Tutors visited Alexandre at home to complete his schooling, and he obtained unexpected levels of success.

Alexandre bravely defied obstacles in his path.

In September 2005, Alexandre attended school for the first time by enrolling in a single high school course while continuing his education at home. In grade 10, he attended school for two hours a day while completing his academic homework at home. To pursue his dream of enrolling at l’Université de Moncton, Alexandre finally attended high school full time and graduated in 2009.

Passionate about his research projects, Alexandre fully invested himself in both his student life and scientific collaborations. In 2014, he received a Bachelor of Science with a specialization in Biology from l’Université de Moncton, a Master of Science degree in Experimental Medicine from l’Université Laval in 2016, and in January 2017, he began PhD studies in Life Sciences, focusing on cancer research, at l’Université de Moncton.

Contributing to advancing medical knowledge and its clinical implications was the peak of Alexandre’s all too brief career as a young scientist. Even so, during his Master’s program, he presented two research publications for which he was the main author, as poster presentations at various research conferences, in Quebec.