73rd Annual St. Mary's Ball raises $ 1,4 Million

Referred to by most as the Ball of the decade, the 73rd Annual St. Mary's Ball - led by Co-Presidents Sylvie & Jean Chagnon - was SPECTACULAR...the party of a lifetime...raising $1,400,000 net for our Hospital and completing the funding required ($3,000,000) for the establishment of the McGill Chair in Community Cancer Care, with a primary focus on breast cancer.

Depicting a traditional Italian piazza, the cocktail area was filled to capacity with over 680 guests vying to get a glimpse of the tantalizing line-up of Silent Auction experiences, displayed on market tables amid fruit, vegetables, flowers, pigeons and authentic Venetian masks, hosted by volunteers dressed in period costumes.

Exuding unprecedented elegance and style, the ballroom was transformed into a contemporary and grandiose Chateau, with chandeliers and candelabras lighting the way around the dance floor. Awash in black and white with a hint of gold and ruby red, the Windsor Station was swept away to a period of decadence known for its love of art, food and music - the Renaissance. While enjoying a gastronomic feast beginning with tuna Tataki, followed by lobster risotto and osso bucco, with wines that would impress even the most discerning palates, guests were rocking to the tunes of "1945" animation Paul Chacra entertainment. They were honoured by a special appearance by Christine Williams and Tocadeo who blessed the evening with "Ave Maria" and performed a compelling duet of "Conte partiro" and "The Prayer".

Diane Guerrera, our testimonial speaker of the evening, breast cancer survivor and founder of the CURE Foundation, announced her gift of $1,000,000 also dedicated to this McGill Chair. And bringing it full circle representing the remaining funding for this Chair, 30 students from each of the six girls' schools participating in St. Mary's Girls for the Cure - Villa Maria, Sacred Heart, ECS, Trafalgar, QAA, The Study - performed their "flash mob dance" of "Everybody Dance Now" to our audience, led by the Sonia Balazovjech Dance Company.

Scroll through our photo gallery of the 2010 St. Mary's Ball to view the many unforgettable moments that filled the evening.

For more photos and information on reprints, please visit Nathalie Hervé’s website at www.nathalieherve.ca or contact her directly at: 514.624.7533 (office), 514.772.7075 (cellular) or nathalie.herve@sympatico.ca.