Montréal, Thursday, September 08, 2011
The Foundation’s Grand Bal des Vins-Cœurs raises $2,117,000; honours André Desmarais, O.C., O.Q.
More than 900 guests gathered yesterday evening at Windsor Station’s Salle des pas perdus, for the 11th Grand Bal des Vins-Coeurs, the flagship event of the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation. Mr. André Desmarais, O.C., O.Q., President and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Power Corporation of Canada, was presented with the Medal of Honour by the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation. The Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves through their generosity, commitment and dedication to the Foundation.
$2,000,000 raised for the Montreal Heart Institute
« Thanks to our loyal partners, the SAQ and Cirque du Soleil, our generous sponsors and donors, and our Honorary Co-Presidents, Stephen Bronfman, Claridge Inc.; Daniel Lamarre, Cirque du Soleil; Monique F. Leroux, Mouvement des caisses Desjardins; Isabelle Marcoux, Transcontinental; and Michael Sabia, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, the Grand Bal des Vins-Cœurs raised $2,000,000 » declared Mr. Henri-Paul Rousseau, a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors for the past 15 years and its Chairman since last June. Although an amount of $2,000,000 was announced that evening, other gifts were received so that a grand total of $2,117,000 has now been reached.
Mrs. Danielle Pagé, Executive Director of the Foundation, announced that three majors donations totalling $500,000 contributed to achieving this excellent result: the first, an anonymous donation of $300,000, is dedicated to the Biobank; the second, a donation of $100,000 made by Mrs. Karen and Mr. Murray Dalfen, is dedicated to the electrophysiology department; and the third donation, also an amount of $100,000, was given by Mrs. Cécile Ledoux and Mr. Jacques Landreville, and is dedicated to the heart transplant clinic.
« Their gestures reveal, in a very tangible way, that they are deeply convinced of how important it is to support the Montreal Heart Institute, one of the best research and cardiology centres in the world. To all our donors, we extend our warmest thanks », added Mr. Henri-Paul Rousseau.
Honouring Mr. André Desmarais
Over the years, Mr. André Desmarais has contributed to the Montreal Heart Institute’s development by supporting large-scale innovative and priority projects that allow the Institute to attain the highest standards of excellence and to remain a world leader in the field of cardiology. As co-president of the Heart Beat for the Future campaign, Mr. Desmarais made a major contribution to the success of the largest fundraising endeavour ever held by the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation. Thanks to his involvement, the campaign objectives were exceeded.
Rigorous businessman, exceptional philanthropist, committed to institutions of higher learning and various education and health-related charities, Mr. Desmarais has recognized the value and the excellence of the Montreal Heart Institute.
An enchanting evening at the Grand Bal des Vins-Cœurs
The great composer and pianist Alain Lefèvre, whose talent has dazzled the world, executed a colorful work created in China and played entirely on black keys. Mr. Lefèvre dedicated his performance to Mr. André Desmarais. Inspired by Alain Lefèvre’s Magic Panda piece, the tribute continued with a Cirque du Soleil signature number involving two Mongolian contortionists performing acrobatics and human pyramids in a series of perfectly synchronized movements.
About the Montreal Heart Institute and its Foundation
Founded in 1954 by Dr. Paul David, the Montreal Heart Institute fosters the highest standards of excellence in cardiology through its leadership in prevention, ultra-specialized care, professional training, clinical and fundamental research, and assessment of new technologies. It is part of the vast network of excellence established by the University of Montréal and its affiliates.
The Montreal Heart Institute Foundation raises and administers funds to support the Montreal Heart Institute and its innovative and priority projects, and to assist the Institute in its fight against heart disease, the leading cause of death in Canada. With the backing of its Foundation, the Montreal Heart Institute, in serving the Québec community, continues to rank among the world leaders in cardiology.
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Note: Photos available upon request
Source: Montreal Heart Institute Foundation
www.fondationicm.org
Information:
Josiane Bétit Josée Darche
Press Relations Director, Development and Communications, MHIF
514.831.0276 514.376.3330, ext. 2205
jbetit@videotron.ca josee.darche@icm-mhi.org
