FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

More than 500 guests celebrate and raise a record $545,000 net at 18th Annual Valentine’s Ball of the West Island Palliative Care Residence

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre, Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir and blues singer Dawn Tyler Watson among those showing their support at the West Island’s premier social event of the season

KIRKLAND, , February 14, 2017 – A record total of $545,000 net was raised Friday evening at the West Island’s premier social event of the season – the 18th annual black-tie Valentine’s Ball of the West Island Palliative Care Residence, held at the Pavilion sur le lac of the Château Vaudreuil hotel.

After celebrating London and Paris in previous years, this year’s event theme stayed closer to home to recognize “Our Montreal” and its 375th anniversary. Leaving no doubt about the theme was guest of honour Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre and a stirring performance at the start of the evening by 25 members of the world-renowned Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir, founded by Dr. Trevor W. Payne, C.M. There was also a surprise performance from Montreal’s “Queen of the Blues,” Dawn Tyler Watson, recent winner of the 2017 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.

The Annual Valentine’s Ball for the Residence pre-dates its opening by several years as a means to raise funds for its initial construction. The first gala event was held in 2000 with the Residence opening in the fall of 2002, the 15th anniversary of which is being celebrated this year. The Ball has continued to be the organization’s largest annual fundraising event.

Honourary President of this year’s Ball was well-known local entrepreneur, author and television personality Danièle Henkel, Founder and CEO of Les Entreprises Daniele Henkel Inc. and a West Island resident. “I’m humbled to have the great honour of participating in this remarkable effort to support a local institution that does so much for its patients and their families and has such a wonderful reputation across ,” she said. “Together, with the amazing efforts of the administration, professionals, caregivers and volunteers, the Residence will continue to help and respect those who need their care at the end of life.”

Masterfully handling the host duties again this year were media commentator and former member of the National Assembly Yolande James and Jamie Orchard, Senior Anchor of Global Montreal’s Evening News.

Major sponsors of the event included: Pfizer Canada, Merck Canada, Charles River, TASK and Vivalis. Other sponsors included Otis Grant & Friends Foundation, Pharmacy Linda Frayne, Ville de Pointe-Claire and AVON. The Air Canada Foundation and the Montreal Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel generously donated raffle prizes that helped raise funds during the evening. Guests also bid enthusiastically on a record number of donated items for a silent auction.

“I am humbled every year by the out-pouring of support for the Residence that we see at the Valentine’s Ball and the generosity of the community throughout the year. This support is absolutely vital in allowing us to continue to serve the community with quality palliative care,” said Teresa Dellar, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Residence. “As we mark the 15th anniversary of our opening this year, we remember we are only able to do so thanks to the ongoing support of our community.”

“We can only achieve success with the Valentine’s Ball thanks to the efforts and generosity of many individuals and companies, as well as our numerous volunteers.” said Kerri Elkas, Manager, Corporate Affairs, Pfizer Canada Inc., and co-chair with Lily Kieliszczyk Mancini, Broccolini Construction, of the team of dedicated volunteers on the Ball organizing committee. “They all deserve a very big thank-you for making the evening such a success.”

Four members of the Quebec cabinet were in attendance: Martin Coiteux, MNA for Nelligan and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, Minister of Public Security and Minister Responsible for the Montreal Region; Geoff Kelley, MNA for Jacques-Cartier and Minister Responsible for Native Affairs; Carlos Leitão, MNA for Robert-Baldwin and Minister of Finance; and Kathleen Weil, MNA for Notre-Dame-de-Grâce and Minister of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusiveness. Also attending were two West Island members of Parliament, Frank Baylis of Pierrefonds-Dollard and Francis Scarpaleggia of Lac- St-Louis, as well as West Island municipal leaders.

Special guests attending from the sporting world included longtime Residence supporter Anthony Calvillo, Montreal Alouettes quarterbacks coach, and his wife Alexia. From the world was former world WBO champion Otis Grant. Also attending was Alvin Powell, former NFL offensive lineman and current head of the Saving Station Foundation in Montreal which educates about the dangers of drug abuse.

About the West Island Palliative Care Residence The West Island Palliative Care Residence is an independent, community-operated facility that is now the largest free-standing palliative care residence in Canada. All services are provided free of charge to terminally ill patients and their families. The Quebec government pays one-third of the operating budget with the balance of more than $3 million per year, raised in the community from events such as the Valentine’s Ball as well as individual and corporate donations. Recognized across Quebec and Canada for its excellence in palliative care, the facility has welcomed more than 3,500 patients in the final stages of ALS, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular disease and cancer, as well as their family members. To learn more, visit PalliativeCareResidence.com.

****

For more information: Joanne Myers Director of Development Tel.: 514-693-1718, ext. 234 Cell: 514-978-0793 [email protected] @PalliativeRes Facebook/West Island Palliative Care Residence