Highlights of Céline Dion’s Volunteer Support

1982
Céline accepts the title of "Marraine" of Cystic Fibrosis Quebec

1983
Accompanied by the Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand-Montréal, Céline gives her first solo benefit concert for Cystic Fibrosis Canada at the Place des Arts in Montreal.

1984
Céline records her first televised Cystic Fibrosis Canada public service announcement with her niece, Karine.

1985
Céline participates in a Cystic Fibrosis Canada benefit gala, in Ottawa, following a special hockey game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Edmonton Oilers.

1986
Céline's song "Mélanie", which has come to be associated with cystic fibrosis, wins many prestigious awards.

1987
Céline records a public service announcement with Caroline Pazzy, who has cystic fibrosis.

1988
Céline gives a benefit concert for Cystic Fibrosis Canada at the CÉGEP Édouard-Montpetit and the Polyvalente André-Laurendeau in Saint-Hubert, Quebec.

1989
Céline chairs two important media conferences: in August, the announcement of the discovery of the gene responsible for cystic fibrosis; and in September, the first double-lung transplant in Quebec on a patient with CF.

1990
Céline participates in a televised benefit gala for Cystic Fibrosis Canada— "A Gift of Love" organized by Mrs. Mila Mulroney and featuring David Foster, Christopher Plummer, and many other celebrities.

Céline records a public service announcement for the QCFA's 1990 fundraising campaign.

She acts as spokesperson for the first Quebec-wide fundraising draw supporting Cystic Fibrosis Canada-funded CF research.

1991
Céline records a video public service announcement for the 1991 QCFA campaign.

To mark the 10th anniversary of her career and of her volunteer work for the QCFA, she gives a benefit concert at the Montreal Forum and the Agora de Québec.

1993
In May, Céline's niece, Karine, loses her fight against cystic fibrosis and dies in Céline's presence.

In August, Céline agrees to expand her role in the CF community, by accepting the position of Celebrity Patron of Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

1994
Céline participates with Chanelle Lemieux Lecavalier, a nine-year-old with CF from Hull, Quebec, in Cystic Fibrosis Canada's national public awareness campaign.

In December, Céline performs a CF benefit concert at Montreal's Palais des Congrès.

On the occasion of their wedding, Céline and René Angélil invite guests to contribute their wedding gifts to the CF cause.

1996
Céline performs a CF benefit concert at a gala dinner at Montreal's Palais des Congrès. During this concert, she announces a major new sponsorship with Royal Airlines that she personally helped to secure for the Canadian CF Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

1997
Céline very generously donates her appearance fees from a New York City concert, and from her guest appearance on the television show, The Nanny, to Cystic Fibrosis Canada's SPARX program.

1998
In April 1998, Céline receives the title of 'Officer of the Order of Quebec'. One month later, she receives the title of 'Officer of the Order of Canada'.

In September, Céline performs a benefit concert in Toronto, raising almost $1 million for Cystic Fibrosis Canada-funded CF research.

She appears on the 100th episode of the television program Touched by an Angel and donates her appearance fee to Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

1999
Céline performs a benefit concert in Palm Beach, Florida for the CF cause. A portion of the proceeds is donated to Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

Céline agrees to wear a pair of diamond-studded Ray-Ban sunglasses to the Academy Awards, in exchange for a contribution to Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

On December 31, Céline performs a benefit concert in Montreal for several causes, including cystic fibrosis. It is her last concert before her sabbatical leave from the professional scene.

2000 - 2001
Céline and her manager and husband, René Angélil, take a leave from their professional duties. However, they remain strong supporters of the CF cause and Cystic Fibrosis Canada, and continue to represent a constant source of hope and inspiration for all individuals and families affected by cystic fibrosis.

2001-2002
In 2001, the "Céline Rose" is introduced with one dollar from the sale of each rose bush coming to Cystic Fibrosis Canada. The rose was sold in Quebec nurseries and garden centres in 2001. Distribution expanded internationally in 2002.

2002
Céline returns to public life. A portion of a significant donation made by Céline and René Angélil to Cystic Fibrosis Canada in 2000 is steered towards the Special Research Initiative In Memory of Michael O’Reilly.

2003-2004
Céline and René Angélil continue their significant support for Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s work. The couple designate the Breathe (Basic Research and Therapy) program for the remaining portion of a gift made in 2000, and pledge further support for this important initiative that will target the basic defect in cystic fibrosis through the development of novel therapeutic approaches.

Céline generously donates tickets to her Las Vegas show A New Day...created by Dragone at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace to raise funds to support the work of Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

2005-2006
Céline writes the foreword for the Canadian edition of Heather Summerhayes Cariou’s book, 65 Roses: A Sister’s Memoir.

2006
Céline holds a golf tournament on her private course in August. She donates $500,000 to support the work of Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

2007
Céline writes foreword for the US edition of Heather Summerhayes Cariou’s book, 65 Roses: A Sister’s Memoir.

2008
Céline writes foreword for Andy Lipman’s book, The Drive at 35: Cystic fibrosis takes a backseat.

Céline donates tickets to the North American performances of her Taking Chances World Tour, and provides copies of her most recently released CD, My Love: The Ultimate Essential Collection to raise funds to support the work of Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

2009
Cystic Fibrosis Canada received a generous gift from the Céline Dion Cystic Fibrosis Canada. The donation was Céline’s appearance fee for a television campaign for a Quebec-based restaurant chain.

2010
In honour of Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s 50th Anniversary, Céline provided a personal message and a special gift to over 250 of Cystic Fibrosis Canada’s volunteers, partners and donors attending a special gala held in Ottawa on April 30.
 

Reviewed/updated: 2011-03-31