This bold and ambitious young man successfully completed his doctorate in medical physics and nuclear medicine on September 21. It was in Lyon, France, that he defended his thesis in front of a panel of American/French professionals. His family in Rodrigues was able to experience this moment of intense emotion thanks to the magic of technology. For Marie Josée Labour, Joey Labour’s mother, this success is dedicated to the whole of Rodrigues Island because according to her, her son owes his success thanks to his perseverance at work and his motivation.
“On Tuesday, September 21 at around 7 a.m., we experienced an unforgettable moment during the presentation of Joey Labour’s thesis live from France by videoconference thanks to his two adoptive mothers from France. Moreover, we had shared the link from where many Rodriguans were able to follow his presentation online. Of course, we were moved and we also noticed that Joey held on until the jury deliberated. For our part, we can say one thing: Joey has always been a very involved child, whether at the primary or secondary level. He was also very active at the social level from Scouting and he was even in Scouting for a long time once he left for France. I can also say that the fruit of his success is dedicated to his motivation, the adaptation of his new life in France and especially the supervision he had with his two adoptive families who supported him well. Not to forget his family from Rodrigues, despite the distance, everything becomes easier with the new technology. So I dedicate his success to the whole of Rodrigues Island.” Relates Marie Josée Labour.
She continues, “From a child, Joey was a very active person. He was engaged in growing the flowers he sold. He was good at pastry, especially the Genoese. Being resourceful is its keyword. He participated in all extra-curricular activities at school, whether at the primary or secondary level. He was a very active member of the Accacia Scout and participated in the jamboree 2 times. He was very responsible and still is. Being much applied, this has contributed to its success. He had an overflowing dynamism… He was always filled with energy. He knew how to balance his hobbies and studies.”
Joey Luc Cédric Labour currently works at a cancer treatment hospital in Lyon, France. The latter says to salute all the solidarity of Rodrigues during his career and especially for this thesis, he says he is happy to have made the pride of his family who believed in him and the pride of Rodrigues; “Coming to my Doctorate, it’s a great moment in my life. I successfully landed my thesis scholarship in 2018 which was funded by Philips Healthcare. So, it’s in Paris in the CREATIS laboratory in Lyon and at the Léon Bérard Cancer Center. My thesis is taking place in a laboratory specialized in medical imaging in the detection and treatment of cancer affecting adults and children which is recognized as being a large hospital excelling in research in Lyon which is also recognized throughout the world. I lived my thesis well despite Covid-19, far from my family and friends. It was not easy but I was able to finish my thesis thanks to the encouragement I had. Many people in France have always pushed me forward and they have especially recognized my motivation. They gave me the necessary means to complete my project. My thesis is on the treatment of liver cancer by radioembolization using an atom, yttrium-90. Following the injection of this product into patients’ liver tumors, it is possible to perform imaging, positron emission tomography (PET). It is a treatment that falls under nuclear medicine. I would like to say a big thank you to Catheline and Milaine two Rodriguans who live in France. They helped me a lot during my project and also a big thank you to Veronique who hosted me at her house while she was taking her classes. Finally, I am very proud to have made Rodrigue proud. Thank you to my parents, my sister Cloey and all my loved ones who were there with me; it was nice.”
