Rene M. Caisse, RN.
Commemorative Statue Dedication
November 2000

Memorial Plaque on Commemorative Statue

From Left to Right:
T.P. Maloney, President Essiac Canada Intl.,
The Statue of Rene M. Caisse RN,
Kevin T. Maloney of Essiac From Rene M. Caisse RN

From Left to Right:
The Statue of Rene M. Caisse RN,
Brenda Wainman Goulet (Sculptor)
Mr. Scott Northmore (Mayor of BraceBridge), Kevin T. Maloney of Essiac From Rene M. Caisse RN.

From Left to Right:
Don McVittie,
Mr. Scott Northmore (Mayor of BraceBridge), The Statue of Rene M. Caisse RN,
T.P. Maloney, President Essiac Canada Intl.,

Ontario Nurse, Renee M. Caisse
Commemorated for her work in
natural medicine

One of the most controversial figures in the early history of "natural therapies" in Ontario was Rene M. Caisse, a nurse, who while working with native Indians discovered a herbal tea formula now known as ESSIAC^® (Caisse spelled backwards). Caisse who dies in Bracebridge at the age of 90 in 1978, was honored with a bronze statue sculpted by Brenda Wainman Goulet. The statue is a gift to Bracebridge as part of the town's 125th Anniversary celebrations by Essiac Canada International and commemorates Caisse's work in natural medicine.

The memorial was unveiled last November in a civic ceremony and brought together many local dignitaries, most notably, Stan Darling, the former MP for Muskoka-Haliburton, who once delivered a 5,000 signed petition to Health Canada in the early 1970's to make ESSIAC^® legally available to Canadians. Despite the numerous testimonials, the government and medical establishment at the time concluded that the product had no health benefits. Other notables present included David Schliech, President of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM), the Mayor of Bracebridge, Mr. Scott Northmore and Mr. T.P. Maloney, the President of Essiac Canada International. The event was co-ordinated by Ken Veitch, the town's Special Events administrator. Another statue of Rene M. Caisse, identical to the one in Bracebridge will also grace the grounds of CCNM.

The town of Bracebridge is not the only beneficiary of the Essiac International's philanthropic endeavours. Thanks to the company's generosity, CCNM in Toronto has built up one of the most preeminent botanical libraries featuring both print and electronic medium. The $250,000 Essiac Botanical Library is in fact, the largest collection of its kind in Canada. Other projects underway at the College include the Rene M. Caisse Memorial Botanical Greenhouse. The 50 x 40 foot greenhouse will be enclosed so that it can be used year-round as a teaching facility. Students will not only be able to grow their own herbs, but they will also be able to manufacture their own tinctures, decoctions and salves. "We are currently waiting for approval for the proper permits from the GTA and we hope to have the greenhouse built before the summer," says Schliech. The greenhouse complements the Rene M. Caisse Memorial Terrace Gardens constructed last fall.

Beside the garden and the greenhouse Essiac International is also funding $75,000 for the Rene M. Caisse Memorial Chair at CCNM which will be established in 2002. As well, a proposed case history research study on breast cancer using ESSIAC^® is also being planned. "This study is expected to lay the groundwork for a future proposed in-depth clinical trials," states Schleich.

These new additions and programmes to the College's 176,000 square foot facility come in the nick of time. In 1996 CCNM had 150 students, now there are enrolled in the four year CCNM programme. The College budget also grew from $1.7 million to $10 million during the same period. CCNM recently received full accreditation by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Eduacation (CCNM), making it easier to attract American students as the school is par with their US counterparts, Bastyr University, the National College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences. Recent provincial legislation giving degree granting status to private universities is expected to attract even more students.

For Mr. T.P. Maloney, the future of both CCNM and his company looks bright. ESSIAC^® is now sold in over 24 countries and Rene Caisse, the northern Ontario nurse who started it all, is now known to a new generation of health professionals and patients worldwide. "ESSIAC^® has been helping people since 1922," says Maloney. "My hope is that all these efforts will continue to get both ND's and MD's working together to do what matters most - restore the health of their patients."

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Natural Health Products Report, Volume 10, No. #1, Issue 54

The Plaque Reads:

Rene M. Caisse, RN.
Discoverer of ESSIAC^®
Aug 11, 1888 - Dec. 26, 1978
"Canada's Cancer Nurse"

WORLD RENOWNED IN THE FIELD OF NATURAL MEDICINE

In 1922, Nurse Caisse discovered an original herbal
formula that helped ease the pain and suffering of
cancer patients. She named her formula Essiac®. Since
1922, thousands of people worldwide believe that
Essiac® has helped to restore their health. During her
lifetime, Rene Caisse refused to be lured away from
Bracebridge, Ontario, determined that her herbal
remedy be recognized as being made in Canada, of
herbs harvested from the Canadian Pre-Cambrian Shield
on which this memorial stands. Nurse Caisse insisted
that Essiac®, natural, safe and effective herbal medicine
be made available to all of mankind.

Erected by Essiac® Canada International - November, 2000