The 9th annual charity event, as it has for the past seven years,  forwarded its proceeds to Cedars CanSupport. Members of the organizing committee, known as “Friends for the Cure”, very proudly presented a cheque for $240,000. Frank Rana, the committee member responsible for corporate fundraising, clearly demonstrated he could raise an enormous amount of money even during a recession. He secured $200,000 of the evening’s proceeds and showed once again why he’s a force to be reckoned in the world of corporate fundraising in Montreal. The Friends for the Cure have forwarded nearly $1,300,000 in the seven years of fundraising to benefit Cedars CanSupport.

 

Cedars CanSupport provides invaluable psycho-social assistance to cancer patients and their families.

 

The event’s emotional peak came during the keynote address by Alexia Calvillo. She followed in the footsteps of her husband, Montreal Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo, who spoke about her shocking diagnosis of B-cell lymphoma during the fundraiser’s keynote address in 2008. During her speech, Mrs.Calvillo struggled at times to tell the crowd of nearly 650 people about the horrors of battling cancer and how she fought for her life. She said it was important to tell her story, but it was more important for her to talk about Cedars CanSupport. She explained how the volunteers of the organization gave her crucial information in the first days of her incredible uphill battle following the diagnosis. She was given pertinent information about side effects from the treatments and support groups as well as contact numbers. “What CanSupport gave me was a genuine compassion and understanding” said the mother of two. Mrs. Calvillo, who was diagnosed in late 2007, only a week after giving birth to the couple’s second daughter, remarked how wonderful and warm volunteers were, whether they were assisting her in finding a wig or helping her understand her treatments. “I will always remember the wisdom, the kindness and the smiles they gave me during some of the toughest days of my life”, said Mrs. Calvillo. The hall erupted into a thunderous applause when Mrs. Calvillo, whose husband stood behind her for support during her speech, announced she received the results of a scan a week before the fundraiser that showed she was cancer free. 

 

The evening’s video presentation, titled “Stand Up To Cancer”, featured cancer survivors talking about what made them stay positive, what made them fight during their ordeal. Family and faith were cited as two of the biggest reasons why survivors chose to fight on during their medical crisis. The video was followed by a special musical performance spotlighting the “Kids for the Cure”, who sang the chorus of “Just Stand Up”, a song that was performed by an ensemble of big-name female recording artists during the “Fashion Rocks” concert at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall in 2008.      

 

Sponsors were once again very generous with door prizes. Guests were given no fewer than 450 door prizes before they even walked into the ballroom of Buffet Amiens in Saint Leonard. The ever-popular raffle awarded more than 20 prize packages, including trips to Spain and the Dominican Republic as well as a Mediterranean cruise and a diamond ring.

 

One of Montreal’s most popular bands, “The Showmen”, kept guests on the dance floor throughout the evening with their blend of classics as well as contemporary hits.

 
As always, the Friends for the Cure wish to thank their families, sponsors, guests, volunteers, the Cedars Cancer Institute as well as Alexia and Anthony Calvillo for their precious support and very much look forward to their 10th annual fundraiser in 2010.