THUNDER BAY – Healthbeat – It’s an event Thunder Bay looks forward to each November. Now in its 7th year, the Downtown Volkswagen Save a Heart Ball continues to bring guests together to enjoy fine dining, excellent entertainment and spectacular auctions – all in support of the Northern Cardiac Fund of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
“We are proud to be part of such a meaningful endeavour,” says Lida Mascarin of title sponsor Downtown Volkswagen. “As a local business, we believe it’s important to contribute to the well-being of our community.”
Event Chair, Vince Mirabelli, is counting down the days until this year’s Ball, which takes place November 10 at the Valhalla Inn. “I get really excited about this event each year,” he says. “The Ball is an elegant evening where we are fortunate to enjoy a fantastic night out, while supporting advancements in cardiac care here in Northwestern Ontario.”
Mirabelli knows first-hand how important it is to have life-saving cardiac equipment here in Thunder Bay. “My father had a heart attack in 2003 and he’s the inspiration for this event. Cardiac care in Northwestern Ontario has progressed so much since then. I’m humbled by the fact that, in the past six years, this event has raised over $250,000 which has contributed to the opening of our two Cardiac Catheterization labs. These facilities have allowed patients to stay here in Northwestern Ontario to receive the care they need.”
“Fundraising efforts like this have been instrumental to the growth of our cardiology program,” says Athena Kreiner, Senior Development Officer with the Health Sciences Foundation. “Last year, the Northern Cardiac Fund provided funding for the purchase of an intravascular ultrasound to be used in the Cath lab. This device allows the interventional cardiologist to view 360 degrees inside an artery to measure blood flow and assess whether a patient requires a stent or needs to be sent for surgery. It’s made a real difference to patient care and is another way that we’re providing care close-to-home.”
Tickets for this year’s event are $125 and can be purchased by calling (807) 345-4673 or by e-mailing info@healthsciencesfoundation.ca
Heather Vita
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation
