Gala brings us closer to cystic fibrosis cure
While there is still considerable work to be done to eradicate cystic fibrosis — the most common fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults, with no known cure — there was nonetheless much to celebrate at the recent Progress in Cystic Fibrosis Research Gala at Windsor Station, hosted with elegance and spirit by Cystic Fibrosis Canada (CFC).
First off, thanks to indefatigable work, dedication, fruitful research and sizable funds raised on the part of volunteers, benefactors, researchers and other professionals (teamwork makes the dream work), life expectancy for Canadians living with the disease has increased dramatically from a heartbreaking median age of just a few years old in the 1960s to 52.1 in 2016 — an impressive number that is among the highest in the world. Progress indeed. Second, one of the foundation’s most ardent supporters was in the house (ahem, station), in the capacity of honouree. She was recognized for her many outstanding contributions to Cystic Fibrosis Canada since initiating involvement in 1985, including taking the reins of some of CFC’s most successful fundraisers (most notably the Match of Champions between the Oilers and Canadiens that netted over $1 million in one night), as well as assuming an invaluable role in raising awareness and often serving as a pillar of compassionate support for families touched by the disease. She continues her involvement as honorary co-chair of the Program for Individualized Cystic Fibrosis Therapy (PICFT), an effective collaboration between CFC and the SickKids Foundation.
And yes, noties, you know her name well! This devoted champion of the cause is the amazing Mila Mulroney, who attended festivities with proud family and friends, including beaming husband, former PM and Social Notes fave Brian Mulroney; son Ben Mulroney (on the scene with wife Jessica), who served as the eve’s MC and follows in his mother’s footsteps as national ambassador for CFC; daughter Caroline Mulroney Lapham with husband Andrew Lapham; son Mark with wife Vanessa; and son Nicolas with wife Katy.
Of course, other notables were there, too, to fête the lady of the hour and lend support. They included fabulous former first couple of Quebec Michèle Dionne and Jean Charest; Sun Life Financial Quebec and Canada’s Isabelle Hudon with love Gilles Coulombe; Annie Dupont and Richard Laramée of Les Productions Feelings; TV personality Valerie Roberts and chef Martin Juneau; Montreal Alouette Ky Hebert with Anneth Him; The Beat’s Claudia Marques; Mary Dailey Desmarais with pal Christine Boivin; RBC Wealth Management vice-president Cyrille Aubin; Olympic medallist Bruny Surin; Global Montreal’s Kim Sullivan; actress Catherine Bérubé; CHOM’s Heather Backman; and, of course, foundation honorary committee president Sylvain Chrétien, president/CEO of Pediapharm; foundation president/CEO Norma Beauchamp; and esteemed board members Dr. John Wallenburg, Mitch LePage, Ian Thompson, Stephen McCourt, Robert Sankey, Ron Anderson, Lee Burry, Ross Drake, Julie Saucier and Claude Provencher.
As for memorable moments, toppers included a video message from Céline Dion (also attached to the cause because of a family member); moving tributes to the honouree (even a mesmerizing rendition of the late Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah by gifted songstress Nikki Yanofsky); special recognition of Denis Mouton, founder of Fibrose Kystique Québec; Dr. Larry Lands’s encouraging research update; inspiring performances by beloved musician Frédéric Giroux, parent to a child with cystic fibrosis, with young talents Emma Cloutier and Emily Oulousian; and finally, signature spectacular eats by the Fairmont Queen E and the sweetest beats by celebrity DJ Abeille (there with hub Na’eem Adam).
Not surprisingly, the magical night, generously supported by patrons and sponsors like CIBC and Proteostasis, raised a cool half-mil for the foundation, bringing us closer to that epic day when even magical nights like this one will be superfluous — because the disease will be no more.