Bond fever hits 17th Annual JGH CIBC Athletic Day and Party

The 17^th Annual JGH CIBC Athletic Day and Party (formerly known as the Tennis Classic) was one of the hottest benefit events of the spring, attracting over 600 influential entrepreneurs and professionals from diverse backgrounds and age groups and raising in excess of $583,000. Since its inception in 1998, this marquee event has raised close to $4 million, which has been used to support various needs throughout the hospital.

Once again this year, the Organizing Committee, under the dynamic leadership of Co-Chairs Carl Bélanger (Fasken Martineau DuMoulin), George Granata (Granata Group), George Itzkovitz (Primo International), Demo Trifonopoulos (CIBC) and Gary Wechsler (OMSI Merchant Services Canada), decided to hold the event over two separate days. But they took the concept one step further by replacing the traditional tennis tournament with a more family-oriented Athletic Day.

From left to right: Co-Chairs Carl Bélanger, Demo Trifonopoulos, Gary Wechsler and George Itzkovitz

The Athletic Day took place on Thursday, May 1, at the McGill University Sports Complex, where over 140 people enjoyed a full day of activities, which included a friendly competition of volleyball, basketball, dodgeball and relay races, in addition to tennis tournaments. It was followed on Saturday, May 3, at the Chrylser dealership (sponsored by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Quebec) on Ferrier Street, by a dinner party with a colourful and exciting Bond Fever 007 theme that drew a crowd of over 600 professionals and entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds. Organized by the Starlight Children’s Foundation and sponsored by the JGH Foundation and CIBC, the evening’s entertainment included many of the Bond franchise’s classic scenes, such as a fully gold-painted woman on day bed, a live performance of the Diamonds are Forever theme by an opera singer, video sequences of the highly popular Skyfall, Live and Let Die and Diamonds are Forever films, plenty of food and cocktails—shaken but not stirred—a casino night, a silent auction and dancing until the wee hours of the morning to live music by the Rhapsody Orchestra. Participants were also treated with fun and inspirational speeches by Camille Ross, anchor of the Morning News on Global TV, and Montreal Gazette social columnist Jennifer Campbell, as well as Co-Chairs Demo Trifonopoulos and Gary Wechsler.

Proceeds from the two-day event will support the JGH Department of Urology, a leading North American centre in the use of robotic-assisted surgery and minimally invasive procedures that offer curative hope in treating advanced diseases relating to prostate, kidney and bladder in frail patients, reduced infection rates, shorter recovery times with less days in the hospital and better quality of life for patients. Notably, these funds will support the development of non-surgical image-guide therapies that will allow for early disease control with minimal side-effects, as well as cutting-edge research and clinical innovation in urology. A portion of the proceeds will also go to the Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada, which helps children with all types of illnesses, including many with special needs. Funds from the event will be used to further develop awareness campaigns and help support Starlight Great Escapes, a program that enables children with special needs and their families to experience memorable days of fun, excitement, learning techniques and camaraderie. Activities include Cabane à sucre, friendship days, go-karting, boating and waterskiing, as well as a winter cottage retreat with snowmobile excursions—all of which allow the children to develop friendships and provide opportunities for parents to meet other parents with similar difficulties.

We thank the many individuals, companies, foundations and groups for their generosity and commitment to the event and the worthwhile causes it supports: the dedicated members of our organizing committee; staff of the Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada; the JGH Foundation staff (Administrative Assistant Rana Saheb and Director of Events Annette Goldman, in particular); and our many sponsors, supporters and guests. Special thanks go to our Co-Chairs for their vision, inspiration and determination to ensure an amazing event and make a difference in the lives of others.