Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Heart of Gold Gala

The Heart of Gold Gala committee poses with the chair of the B.C. chapter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Diego Marchese.

Five-time Olympian and member of the national board of the Heart and Stroke Foundation Charmaine Crooks and her husband, Anders Thorsen, of Surewood Forest Products.

SierraSil Health community relations manager Melanie Trepanier and her date, Iain McLellan.

Anisa Alibhai and her husband, Mehmood Alibhai, reimbursement access manager for Boehringer Ingelheim Canada Ltd.

Heart of Gold honorary co-chairs Parveen (left) and Anuja Varshney, with the chair of the B.C. chapter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Diego Marchese.

Chair of the B.C. board of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Irfhan Rajani, and investment banker Wayne Henderson.

Kingsdale Shareholder Services general council Roop Mundi and cardiologist at St. Paul’s Hospital Jasmine Grewal.

Managing director of Rogers Financial Group Clay Gillespie, Janet Stuart and her husband, Gavin Stuart, dean of the Faculty of Medicine and vice provost of Health at UBC.

President of Timber Specialties Brad Burmeister and his wife, Dianne.

Chair of the B.C. chapter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Diego Marchese and his wife, Irene; Expedia CruiseShipCenters vacation specialist Stephanie Sorochka; John Forsdick of Context Research Ltd.; Heart and Stroke Foundation VP of research and heal

VP of fundraising at the Heart and Stroke Foundation Aderita Guerreiro, past chair of the Heart and Stroke Foundation Peter Scott and his wife, Jane Scott, inaugural gala committee member.

Dentist Dr. Anthony Li and his wife, Grace.

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada president Bobbe Wood; Heart and Stroke Foundation Canada chair Dr. Doug Clement; chair of the B.C. chapter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation Diego Marchese; and Diane Clement.

Noordin Nanji; 2013 Heart of Gold Gala chair Nancey Nanji; and Heart of Gold Gala honorary co-chairs Anuja and Praveen Varshney.

Heart and Stroke Foundation’s 9th Annual Heart of Gold Gala
The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
May 24, 2013


The 9th annual Heart of Gold Gala presented by Goldcorp attracted 500 guests and raised more than $745,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The black-tie gala began with a cocktail reception followed by dinner, dancing, entertainment and a raffle. Some of Vancouver’s most distinguished philanthropists bid on silent- and live-auction items, with all proceeds going to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. This year’s event was chaired by Nancey Nanji and honorary co-chairs Anuja and Praveen Varshney.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation is a volunteer-based organization that leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke, and reduces their impact through the advancement of research and the promotion of healthy living and advocacy. Over the years, the enormous generosity of the people of B.C. and the Yukon has led to earmarking an astounding $65 million for scientific research in B.C.