Help with Ben Perlman’s family fund
***In keeping with respecting the family’s wishes, please do not share this publicly (i.e. Facebook walls). Private messages, text or email are preferred.***
On May 9, 2021, Benjamin Perlman, 39, finally found peace after a lengthy battle with stage IV renal cell carcinoma. He leaves behind his wife, Jessica, and three young children, Jacob, Victoria, and Mila.
At age 35, Ben was first diagnosed with stage I cancer and immediately underwent major surgery to remove his kidney. Afterward, he voraciously developed a newfound appreciation for the basics - family, friends, and health - and urged others to never take these for granted. Cancer, however, is an insidious foe and Ben again found himself fighting for his life against its more aggressive metastatic form during the pandemic. The isolation wore on Ben, a lively soul who thrived most off of the joy of others. His fighting spirit then took on the greatest blow with the tragic passing of his father, Dr. Robert Perlman, just a few months ago.
Though each tragedy was singularly devastating, Ben remained focused on his family’s future. His greatest fear beyond the obvious was the inability to further provide for them. Ben worked tirelessly to ensure they were never left wanting. He continued working until the very end. Among his final wishes was his hope to provide peace of mind for his family.
Funds raised through today’s effort would be disbursed for family expenses in addition to charities and a scholarship in Ben’s memory. He insisted that we donate a portion of the funds to the charities of his choice. In true Benny spirit, he still had a need to give to others and asked that we fund cancer research at the Montreal Jewish General Hospital and Maison St. Raphael, where the family regularly used their support facilities, and lastly, towards education for children in need.
At the behest of his circle of friends that were instrumental in providing unrelenting support to their Captain, we felt it fitting to designate a portion of the monies raised in memory of Ben, to form part of either a one-time donation or a scholarship in his name at Lower Canada College for students of modest means who best exemplify character, determination, and inspiration to those around them. It would also reflect the school motto of Non Nobis Solum. Not for ourselves alone.
On behalf of the Perlman family and Ben’s life teammates, we thank you for your ongoing humanity and support.