KIRKLAND, Quebec, February 14, 2020 – The 21st Annual Valentine’s Ball benefitting the West Island
Palliative Care Residence (the Residence) had an unparalleled success raising a record net amount of
$640,000 thanks to the generosity of more than 500 guests, sponsors and donors. The annual ball was
held at Château Vaudreuil’s Pavillon-sur-le-Lac and featured a gourmet dinner and dance under the
theme of “Italy and its Amalfi Coast”. The money raised provides critical funding for the superior
palliative care delivered at the Residence.
In addition to raising a record amount, the Residence’s co-founder Russell Williams announced that the
Residence would soon change its name to the Teresa Dellar Palliative Care Residence. “Teresa was not
only the co-founder and Executive Director of the Residence for 17 years, but she led the Residence to
what it is today, made a difference for so many people and inspired us to pursue her vision. Her
contribution to the Residence, the patients, the community and the cause is invaluable. Renaming the
Residence in her honour was a natural fit,” said Russell Williams.
Guests included political, media and sports personalities, including such prominent sports figures as
Anthony Calvillo, legendary Montreal Alouettes quarterback and Canadian Football Hall of Fame
inductee. Guests from the arts community included Emmy Award-winning Canadian director Jean-Marc
Vallée and Canadian Blues Queen Dawn Tyler-Watson, who also came to show their support for the
Residence.
The evening’s masters of ceremony were Yolande James RDI and CBC political analyst and a Director of
the Foundation Board of the Residence and Ken Connors, host of Weekends with Ken on CJAD 800. The
honorary co-presidents of the evening, Louis Vachon, President and CEO of National Bank, and Chantal
Carrier, philanthropist, shared with the audience the importance of getting involved in their community.
Lynne McVey, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Montréal West Island Integrated University
Health and Social Services Centre (IUHSSC), gave a compassionate testimonial following her experience
with a loved one at the Residence.
Federal, provincial and municipal politicians in attendance at the sold-out event included MP Francis
Scarpaleggia (Lac-Saint-Louis); MNAs Monsef Derraji (Nelligan), Greg Kelley (Jacques-Cartier), Carlos
Leitão (Baldwin-Cartier) and Kathleen Weil (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce); as well as the mayors of Baie
D’Urfé, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Kirkland, Pointe-Claire and the borough of Pierrefonds/Roxboro.
“The Valentine’s Day Ball is an important tradition, not only to raise funds for the Residence, but also to
raise awareness about the importance of palliative care and the role of the Residence in the community.
I am extremely grateful for the support we receive. This record amount will allow us to continue to
provide our daily care with compassion,” said Dale Weil, the new Executive Director of the West Island
Palliative Care Residence.
We sincerely thank our major sponsors who supported the Ball this year: National Bank, Charles River,
Pfizer Canada, TASK and Excelsoins. Other sponsors for the evening included Merck Canada, the Otis
Grant and Friends Foundation and TKNL.
The Chair of the organizing committee, Linda Ward O’Farrell, Director of the Foundation Board or the
Residence and President, Ward O’Farrell Consultants Inc. noted, “The resounding success of this 21st
edition of the Ball is possible thanks to a dedicated team that works each year with determination to
organize the Residence’s most important fundraising event. A special thank you to the committee, the
outstanding volunteers and staff.”
SOURCE: West Island Palliative Care Residence
