Held at Windsor Station's Salle des pas perdus, the Grand Bal des vins-cœurs welcomed over 900 distinguished guests. Attendees had the opportunity to enjoy a performance by Cirque du Soleil artists, who entertained everyone with their creativity and ever so delightful humour. Lady luck also came through for some of the evening's guests, one of whom won a trip to Paris at the splendid Hotel Le Bristol Paris, graciously provided by Air France and the renowned hotel itself. Also up for grabs was the one-year rental of a gleaming new Smart fortwo provided by Montreal's Automobiles Silver Star.

The Grand Bal des vins-cœurs' founding-partner, the SAQ, has supported the event for the past six years, a contribution that has become instrumental to the fundraiser's success. This year, guests benefited from the expertise of several SAQ sommeliers, who served the wines accompanying the sumptuous meal with great flare. France Chrétien Desmarais, Chair of the Board of Directors, and Michelle Mercier, Executive Director of the Foundation, took the opportunity to thank SAQ President and CEO Sylvain Toutant for the company's unwavering loyalty and invaluable contribution.

Once again, the business community demonstrated its solidarity and commitment to the Montreal Heart Institute. Leading the way were the evening's honorary co-chairs, Hans P. Black, President, Interinvest Consulting Corporation of Canada, Marc Kakon, President, MK Group, André Marcheterre, President, Merck Frosst Canada and Micheline Martin, Senior Vice-President, Quebec, RBC Royal Bank, who spearheaded the fundraiser. Through the strong support of its new and long-term donors, the MHI will continue to distinguish itself as a world leader in the vital sector of cardiovascular medicine.