Air Canada and PK Subban make children’s dreams come true at 16th annual Ball for the Children’s
Just days before the Montreal Children’s Hospital moves to a new state-of-the-art facility on the Glen site, Montreal’s business and philanthropic leaders came together at the Ball for the Children’s, held on May 21 at the historic Windsor Station. The sold-out event’s theme Evolution paid tribute to the legacy of the Montreal Children’s Hospital while celebrating a future full of promises for child health.
Under the leadership of Patron of honor, Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada, the Ball raised a record $ 1,307,000.00.
“This is a momentous time in the history of the Montreal Children’s Hospital and one of Montreal’s most important milestones in pediatric healthcare, and Air Canada is very proud to be closely associated with it,” says Mr. Rovinescu.
The highlight of the evening was a surprise visit from Montreal Canadiens defenseman, PK Subban, who gave 11-year-old Childrens’ patient Gabriel Bellefleur the thrill of a lifetime with a personal invitation to be his guest at a home game, an opportunity to meet some of his fellow players and a post-match visit to the team’s dressing room . In an electrifying performance, Subban and his manager Martin Ross brought the crowd of 650 people to its feet, with a live auction of hockey memorabilia that raised $138,200.
‘’The look on Gabriel’s face when PK came onstage was something I will never forget,’’ says his father Eric, who earlier had shared Gabriel’s ongoing battle with Blackfan-Diamond Syndrome with the crowd. “With 5 surgeries, more than 450 hospital visits, and having just completed his 141’st blood transfusion, Gabriel has been through a lot. When his idol offered him a chance to watch him play, meet some more of the players and visit the team after a game, it was a dream come true. Our family will be eternally grateful to the Foundation and to PK for this generous act of kindness.’’
‘’We owe a debt of gratitude to our Patron of honour, Calin Rovinescu, PK Subban and Martin Ross, our Award of Excellence sponsors Global Montreal, the Gustav Levinschi Foundation, Jean Coutu Group, National Bank, Shire, TransForce and TD, as well as our other sponsors Pfizer, Bell and the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec along with our Platinum and Gold sponsors, our committee, many volunteers, guests, partners and donors. We are also pleased to begin a new partnership with Loblaw Companies Limited which, as part of their proposed new state-of-the-art store project, would include space dedicated for temporary housing for out-of-town parents with children admitted to the new hospital,” says Marie-Josée Gariépy, President of the MCHF.
It was also an opportunity for the Children’s community to congratulate its 2015 Awards of Excellence recipients, eight dedicated staff and volunteers who, through their work, have greatly contributed to maintaining the Children’s reputation of cutting-edge and family-centred pediatric care.
Funds raised at this year’s Ball for the Children’s go to the Healthy Kids Fund to meet the patient’s most urgent needs with innovative programs and services throughout the hospital.
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PK Subban scores big with live auction
The highlight of the evening was a surprise visit from Montreal Canadiens defenseman, PK Subban, who gave 11-year-old Childrens’ patient Gabriel Bellefleur the thrill of a lifetime with a personal invitation to be his guest at a home game, an opportunity to meet some of his fellow players and a post-match visit to the team’s dressing room . In an electrifying performance, Subban and his manager Martin Ross brought the crowd of 650 people to its feet, with a live auction of hockey memorabilia that raised $138,200.
‘’The look on Gabriel’s face when PK came onstage was something I will never forget,’’ says his father Eric, who earlier had shared Gabriel’s ongoing battle with Blackfan-Diamond Syndrome with the crowd. “With 5 surgeries, more than 450 hospital visits, and having just completed his 141’st blood transfusion, Gabriel has been through a lot. When his idol offered him a chance to watch him play, meet some more of the players and visit the team after a game, it was a dream come true. Our family will be eternally grateful to the Foundation and to PK for this generous act of kindness.’’
‘’We owe a debt of gratitude to our Patron of honour, Calin Rovinescu, PK Subban and Martin Ross, our Award of Excellence sponsors Global Montreal, the Gustav Levinschi Foundation, Jean Coutu Group, National Bank, Shire, TransForce and TD, as well as our other sponsors Pfizer, Bell and the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec along with our Platinum and Gold sponsors, our committee, many volunteers, guests, partners and donors. We are also pleased to begin a new partnership with Loblaw Companies Limited which, as part of their proposed new state-of-the-art store project, would include space dedicated for temporary housing for out-of-town parents with children admitted to the new hospital,” says Marie-Josée Gariépy, President of the MCHF.
It was also an opportunity for the Children’s community to congratulate its 2015 Awards of Excellence recipients, eight dedicated staff and volunteers who, through their work, have greatly contributed to maintaining the Children’s reputation of cutting-edge and family-centred pediatric care.
Funds raised at this year’s Ball for the Children’s go to the Healthy Kids Fund to meet the patient’s most urgent needs with innovative programs and services throughout the hospital.
Press release
Photo Gallery