September 13th Gourmet dinner at La Grande Roue raises over $171,000 for research into women’s cancers
All proceeds from “La Roche-Posay’s Ride at La Grande Roue for a good cause” go to the Program for Women’s cancer Research at the McGill University Health Centre.
MONTRÉAL, October 11th, 2022 – The 2nd
edition of “La Roche-Posay’s Ride at La Grande Roue for a good cause” raised over $117,000 for the Program for Women’s cancer Research (PWR): a program launched in 2021 by the Division of Radiation Oncology at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC). PWR (pronounced “power”) conducts research that will improve cure rates and outcomes for women diagnosed with gynecological and breast cancers.
“The Cedars Cancer Foundation is proud to support PWR and to fund important cancer research through this truly unique fundraising event,” said Jeff Shamie, President and CEO of the Cedars Cancer Foundation (Cedars). “We are very grateful to La Roche-Posay, the title sponsor, for its commitment to improving the quality of life of women who are undergoing cancer treatments and for helping us make this event such a great success,” he added.
Due to the intense storm and the threat of lightning, it was not possible to serve dinner on board La Grande Roue de Montréal, as planned. However, guests of the event enjoyed a cocktail reception in Le Café de La Grande Roue, followed by a gourmet three-course meal in Le Bistro. The appetizer and main course were prepared by Carolyne Frigon, a Montréal chef and owner of Elle Traiteur. Dessert was prepared by Stéphanie Labelle, a local pastry chef and owner of Pâtisserie Rhubarbe. The meal was accompanied by wines that were specially selected by master sommelier Élyse Lambert. After dinner, guests were able to take a ride on the Grande Roue, which was beautifully illuminated.
“There is really no other fundraising event quite like this one: a fine dining experience, prepared by top female chefs, on board a giant ferris wheel sixty metres above the ground overlooking our wonderful city,” said Pietro Gasparrini, Chair of the PWR Fundraising Committee. “The weather didn’t cooperate this year, but it was extraordinary nonetheless, and we look forward to welcoming guests back next year on board La Grande Roue to support cutting-edge research into women’s cancers.”
PWR was launched by Dr. Joanne Alfieri and Dr. Tarek Hijal, two leading radiation oncologists from the MUHC’s Division of Radiation Oncology. “We are every grateful to Cedars and to La Roche-Posay for believing in our mission and supporting our research program through this event,” said Dr. Joanne Alfieri. “They are helping us greatly improve outcomes for women’s cancers,” she added.
“The expansion of our research program depends on the generous donations of sponsors and donors,” said Dr. Tarek Hijal. “So, we also wish to thank those who donated to our program as well as the partners whose contributions were essential to the success of the event: RBC Insurance, The Beat 92.5, La Grande Roue de Montréal, and Fisika,” he added.
About The Program for Women’s cancer Research (PWR)
PWR was launched in 2021 by the MUHC’s Division of Radiation Oncology. PWR (pronounced “power”) conducts cutting-edge research that will improve cure rates and outcomes for women diagnosed with gynecological and breast cancers. The team strives to develop innovative techniques that will make treatments more effective and efficient. With the financial support of the Cedars Cancer Foundation, the MUHC is able to treat over 750 new patients per year who have been diagnosed with either breast or gynecological cancers. Over 9,000 Canadian women die from these cancers every year.