The Beat Goes on Gala Raises more than $525,000

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in our country. Heart health — or lack thereof — will affect each and every one of us in some way. The good news, however, is that in our very midst we have the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta — a large organization with fully 1,500 individuals providing a presence at each Calgary hospital. The services offered by the institute encompass health promotion, disease prevention and, of course, research. And as you can well imagine, offering myriad services is not inexpensive so thank goodness then for the success of the second annual The Beat Goes on Gala which was held Sept. 12 in the Palomino Room at the BMO Centre, Stampede Park.

The SRO gala was not only fun and informative, but hugely successful as well with more than $525,000 (net) being raised. That Juno Award-winning artist Jesse Cook and 10-year old piano prodigy Kevin Chen provided the evening’s entertainment added greatly to the evening’s cache.

And a stunning example of the evening’s philanthropy was shown when the signature auction item — a full day heart-healthy package quarterbacked by Libin Institute director Dr. Todd Anderson, garnered $100,000!

Proceeds from the gala will be directed to the congenital heart disease program. Kudos to all involved on the success of the gala-especially gala co-chairs Tony Dilawri of Dilawri Group of Companies fame and Ken King, Calgary Flames president.

Others among the several hundred guests in attendance included: Marc and Deb Staniloff; Jay and Karen Westman; Dave Duckett and his wife Sheila Cennon; Ebony Lewis; Bob and Maria Harris; renowned philanthropist Ann McCaig; Alvin Libin and his son Bobby; Ellen Dilawri; Marilyn King; Sarine Mustapha; Lisa Atkins; Tina Giesbrecht; Katelyn Krueger; Karen Anderson; U of C president Dr. Elizabeth Cannon; Cumming School of Medicine Dean Dr. Jon Meddings; Ike Kolias; Resverlogix’s Don McCaffrey; Dr. Francois Boulanger; Brenda Huband; Calgary Health Trust CEO Jill Olynyk; U of C vicepresident, development, Nuvyn Peters; Dr. Ed O’Brien; Dr. Imtiaz Ali; Sam and Beverley Mozell; CP’s Mark Wallace; Tony and Kay VandenBrink; Jeff and Wendy Kohn.

PHOTOS: BILL BROOKS From left, at the 2nd annual The Beat Goes on Gala presented by the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, are host with the most Alvin Libin, U of C president Dr. Elizabeth Cannon and Cumming School of Medicine Dean Dr. Jon Meddings. The fab...

Co-chair of the second annual event, Tony Dilawri, partner, Dilawri Group of Companies, surrounded by lovelies, from left, Tina Giesbrecht, Ellen Dilawri (Tony’s wife), Sarine Mustapha and Lisa Atkins.

Among the hundreds of guests were, from left, Maria Harris, Karen Westman, Deb Staniloff, Sheila Cennon and Ebony Lewis.

From left, legal ace and tireless philanthropist Gordy Hoffman, his wife Eva Hoffman with Maisoon and Fouad El Kardy, were among the many event supporters.

Pictured, from left, are institute director Dr. Todd Anderson and his wife, Karen, with Marilyn King and her husband, Ken King, gala co-chair and Calgary Flames president.

Pictured, from left, are event supporters Dave Duckett, Marc Staniloff, Jay Westman and Brian Sidorsky.

MONIQUE DE ST. CROIX The gala was presented by Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta. The institute’s Al-Karim Walli, left, with headline entertainer this night Juno Award winner Jesse Cook.

Northern Cross’ Richard Wyman and JoAnne Humphry were among the hundreds of guests in attendance at the gala.

Sonny Mottahed and his wife Katrina Olson-Mottahed were all smiles during a great evening.

Bob Harris (left) and Ike Kolias were all smiles at the 2nd annual The Beat Goes on Gala presented by the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta.

Calgary Health Trust’s Cicely Patrick, left, and Shirley Peeters enjoy the festivities.