-Marking 46 years of philanthropy benefiting diverse charities in Toronto and abroad-
TORONTO, Sept. 17, 2012 /CNW/ - Toronto's annual Brazilian Carnival Ball celebrated its 46th and final bash on Saturday, September 15, 2012 with another evening of dance, music, friendship and philanthropy. The event, which raised approximately $500,000 net, was held in support of de Souza Institute Foundation and the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO), with proceeds benefiting cancer care in Ontario.
Those in attendance once again showed their generosity with some of the city's most prominent individuals in the cultural, fashion, political and business communities helping to raise awareness and funds in support of two organizations dedicated to cancer care. Talented and beautifully adorned dancers from the world-renowned Rio de Janeiro Carnival performed and danced with guests throughout the night.
"After 46 years of hosting this event, I am still amazed how Torontonians are always wiling to open their hearts and give to deserving causes that touch the lives of so many people," says Ivan X. de Souza, President and CEO of the Brazilian Carnival Ball and husband of the late Anna Maria de Souza. "Almost everyone has been affected by cancer including myself, and I know Anna Maria would have been truly moved that this evening's proceeds will help people living with cancer and their families."
This year's Chair is Mario Silva, 2013 Chair of the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research (ITF). Honorary Chairs include Shari Fell, Tony Gagliano, Guilherme Guidi, Marvelle Koffler, Ken Shaw and Helen Vari. The Chair and Honorary Chairs are pleased to be involved with such organizations that provide patients and their families with access to world class cancer care through the various stages of their journey.
"I am honoured to be part of the Ball this year and to share in the unique spirit of the event," says Mario Silva, 2013 Chair of the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research (ITF). "Over the years, it has made a significant contribution and has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the cultural, social, health and well-being of people living in this city and abroad."
About the Ball
The Ball began in 1966 when Anna Maria de Souza missed the excitement, music and magnificent splendor of her homeland Carnival and decided to bring the tradition of the famous Carnival held in Rio de Janeiro to Toronto. The hot Brazilian music, new to Toronto, had everyone on the dance floor all night long and the event became an instant success.
In 1973, Variety Village became the first recipient of the Brazilian Carnival Ball in Canada. In recent years, other beneficiaries have included the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto East General Hospital, The SickKids Foundation, The Princess Margaret Hospital and the Campbell Family Research Institute, The Arthritis & Autoimmunity Research Centre Foundation, Toronto General Hospital, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences, Mount Sinai Hospital, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto and York University.
For the past 20 years, the Brazilian Carnival Ball has been held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Mesmerizing Carnival dancers entertain the crowd with their dancing and dazzling feathered, beaded and sequined costumes. Luis de Castro, the Ball's Director of Décor, is responsible for this year's elaborate design and interpretation of Rio de Janeiro.
About the 2012 Beneficiary
The 2012 Brazilian Carnival Ball proceeds will benefit de Souza Institute Foundation and the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO).
de Souza Institute was established in 2008 and named in honour of the late Anna Maria de Souza in partnership with Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network and Cancer Care Ontario. The Institute was created as an innovative centre of learning dedicated to improving cancer care by supporting excellence in oncology nursing. The mission of de Souza Institute is to provide Ontario patients and families with the best cancer care in the world by focusing on developing highly trained, specialized cancer nurses utilizing the latest evidence and approaches to cancer care. de Souza Institute Foundation will raise funds to support de Souza Institute efforts in improving the cancer experience for patients and families.
The Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) promotes excellence in psychosocial care for people with cancer and their families throughout the cancer experience - from diagnosis to treatment to survivorship or death. While the physical symptoms of cancer are addressed with medical treatment, the emotional impact of the disease is often overlooked. Psychosocial oncology is a specialty in cancer care that is concerned with the whole person, including the social, psychological, emotional and
spiritual aspects of cancer through the entire cancer journey. CAPO works to transform cancer care wherever it is delivered - in hospital, in the community and in hospices. CAPO is a recognized international leader in the development of standards and guidelines for supportive quality of life care.
About the Ball's Supporters
The success of the Brazilian Carnival Ball would not have been possible without the generous contributions and support from the Chair and Honorary Chairs. The Ball's success would also not have been possible without the generous contributions from this year's Evening sponsor TD Bank Group, and Platinum Benefactor, RBC.
Image with caption: "2012 Brazilian Carnival Ball Chair, Mario Silva welcomed guests on Saturday, September 15th to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre to benefit de Souza Institute Foundation and the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO). (Photo credit: System 4 Productions Inc.) (CNW Group/Brazilian Carnival Ball)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120917_C7145_PHOTO_EN_17961.jpg
Image with caption: "Mary Jane Esplen, Director of de Souza Institute and Deborah McLeod, President of the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology, this year's beneficiaries of the Brazilian Carnival Ball. (Photo credit: System 4 Productions Inc.) (CNW Group/Brazilian Carnival Ball)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120917_C7145_PHOTO_EN_17962.jpg
Image with caption: "Saturday, September 15, 2012 marked the final Brazilian Carnival Ball at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre where dancers from Brazil's Carnival 2012 performed at the event with their mesmerizing costumes and hot samba moves. This year's Ball benefited de Souza Institute Foundation and the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO). (Photo credit: System 4 Productions Inc.) (CNW Group/Brazilian Carnival Ball)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120917_C7145_PHOTO_EN_17963.jpg
SOURCE: Brazilian Carnival Ball
Vesna Krklinski
Six Degrees Medical Consulting
416.388.4893
[email protected]
Toni Tiemens
S.W.A.T. Communications
905.868.7998
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