As a member of the Young Ambassadors Circle of the Montreal Cancer Institute, I am organizing for the second year in a row the fundraiser Casino Against Cancer.

We had a great turnout for our first edition and received very positive feedback from the 400+ attendees. I am very excited about this year’s event. We are working hard to amaze people on September 20th at the Le Windsor Ballrooms in Montreal.

Here is a glimpse of what to expect: seafood stations and desserts, open bar, gaming tables, silent auction and many other surprises will be available to make this fundraiser a memorable event.

Our VIP poker tournament will host three WSOP champions: Marc-Andre Ladouceur, Charles-Alexandre Sylvestre and Pascal Lefrancois, providing an additional challenge. Besides, if you can eliminate one of the pros, you will deserve a place in the 2014 edition of the tournament! Thanks to the tournament’s sponsors, Caesars Interactive Entertainment and the World Series of Poker, the winner of the VIP Poker Tournament will bring home the following amazing prizes:

1.       Suite at the CAESARS Palace in Las Vegas for a weekend; and

2.       Seat at a World Series of Poker (“WSOP”) bracelet event.

Players will experience a VIP poker experience enhanced with serving alcoholic beverages and food. At the end of the tournament, players will continue the evening in a casino atmosphere hosted by DJ Toddy Flores.

Wellness and healthcare are causes that are close to my heart. It is important for me to get involved participate in the event to do something effective to find a cure against cancer. Cancer is a devastating disease that strikes everywhere around us. According to the National Cancer Institute of Canada, nearly 1 in 2 Canadians will develop cancer during their lifetime and 1 in 4 will die from cancer. This is a very scary statistic! Life really can quickly change. Against all odds, over the last two years, two of my best childhood friends have lost their mother to cancer.

I am happy to help raise funds for the Montreal Cancer Institute. Not only are participants at the Casino Against Cancer fundraiser contributing to fighting cancer, they are also supporting research and innovation right here in Montreal as well as our economy. For instance, scientific breakthrough like that of Dr. John Stagg’s team (see article in the Wall Street Journal) may one day lead to innovative treatments with the backing of venture capital as well as financial success that creates good jobs and new funds that can be reinvested in additional research. There are so many worthy causes and organisations that need support. Like many people of my generation, I enjoy being able to see firsthand how the funds raised are used to further the organization’s mission.  This is what Casino Against Cancer is all about. Come bet against cancer!

You can purchase your tickets or make a donation here.

To learn more about the Montreal Cancer Institute, see this video (French only):