by Joy Metcalfe
(click on images to enlarge)

CANCER SOCIETY GOES FOR THE GOLD!

It was more than 30 years ago that an ambitious group from the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) decided to create a unique fund-raising evening to raise their profile and to gain much needed funds to further the efforts of doctors, medical specialists and researchers in the fight against cancer. And thus, the Daffodil Ball was born. Initially they were going to call it The Diamond Ball but decided that sounded a little too grasping.

I remember that important, joyous event very well as CKNW's big Bill Good and Global TV's Pamela Martin were the evening's emcees that year and were just simply pumped with energy and enthusiasm.

**AT THE DAFFODIL BALL (FROM LEFT) LESA O’BRIEN, CHRISTOPHER WEIN, ANDREA SEALE, AND SARA OARTS.**

Since that time the Cancer Society's Daffodil Ball has raised millions of dollars for world leading cancer research with medical specialists and researchers in the fight against that insidious disease.

Last month at the Vancouver Convention Centre Canada's largest gala for cancer research, thanks to a partnership with the Lundin Cancer Fund and the World Gold Council and the generous philanthropic giving, raised an amazing $6.76 million.

This year's ball, in partnership with the Lundin Cancer Fund and presented by Wheaton Precious Metals, is funding bold cancer research using the unique properties of gold to improve life-saving cancer treatments.

Spotted several high profile celebs in the crowd of 690 dinner guests, including Andrea Seale, CEO of the Canadian Cancer Society; David Tait, CEO of the World Gold Council; Alan Lundin and Jack Lundin; Haytham Hodaly, CEO of Wheaton Precious Metals, and Christopher Wein, chair of the board of CCS.

The evening's emcee was James Cunningham,with Fred Lee as auctioneer. The very upbeat gala included a cake auction, a live auction, and a raffle draw for diamond rings, along with a curated collection of high value auction prizes and the gold and silver vault.

It was one of those truly unique and soul-satisfying evenings when you are happy that you were there. Raising $6.76 Million will do that for you ...

FOND FAREWELLS

MARY PARSONS … It was a gathering of old friends at Mary Parson's funeral last week at St. Christopher's Church in West Vancouver. Mary was the daughter of the late Grace McCarthy and the person who carried on supporting her mother's dream of the CHILD Foundation after Grace passed. It was a pleasant low key affair with lots of close relatives and good friends attending, people like Gale Honey, (Rick Honey's widow), Peter Scott, Peter Armstrong, Michael Rogers and a lady soloist who sings like an angel. When she sings O Canada, everyone stands taller.

I truly believe that we should all sing O Canada much more often than we do and encourage our new residents to our country to sing along with us, especially on July 1st, Canada Day...

MEL ZAJAC … The large and impressive Holy Rosary Catholic Church was the perfect place for the funeral of the beloved Mel Zajac last week.

Mel had been ailing for some time in St. Paul's hospital after his operation, which required a pacemaker for his struggling heart. In fact, Mel spent his 98th birthday in St. Paul's with the caring nurses singing Happy Birthday to him.

For his age, Mel was one of the healthiest and most forward-looking individuals I knew. Always positive, always rushing and getting things done, always young at heart with a song on his lips. He loved to sing Frank Sinatra's hit songs - usually at the end of one of his many successful fund-raising golf tournaments in Richmond or on stage at several of the Zajac Nights' fundraisers.

When his two personable sons Marty and Mel Jr. died in separate sporting accidents some eight months apart, it would have broken others. Understandably it crushed his first wife, Irene.

But Mel carried on. He decided, after a time, that he would turn that terrible tragedy into something positive, creating the Marty and Mel Jr. Zajac Memorial Fund to help handicapped children, seniors and individuals with special needs, which resulted in the creation of The Zajac Ranch. It was one of Mel's proudest achievements.

We had been friends forever and I was on the bus on my way to visit him in hospital when my cellphone rang. It was Mel's former priest, Father Jim Comey, calling to tell me that Mel had just passed away. It was difficult for me to hide my distress so I got off the bus and took a taxi home.

As expected, Holy Rosary was well attended by family, friends and business associates, while the following reception at the Hotel Vancouver was filled to capacity.

Some of those that I spotted were the same Father Jim Comey, music man Sam Feldman, Cindy (Unique Lives) Charkow; Variety Club president Bianca Zanatta and her friend, Dawn McKenna; John Teti and the entire Howe Street gang, along with Darrell Parkman and Jim Gordon who hosts TV's popular "Vancouver Tonight" segment, along with two very special surprise guests - former B.C. and Federal Conservative power broker, The Honorable John Reynolds and his attractive wife, Yvonne, both in wheelchairs.

They flew in from Toronto, especially to attend their close friend Mel’s funeral. It was a treat to greet them as they looked remarkably well and happy together.

Also spotted man about town, retired architect and Vancouver planner, Michael Geller, sporting his cheerful pink tie, while Gale Honey, widow of the late Rick Honey, enjoyed meeting several old friends from the halcyon days of CKNW ...

Adding to the spirit of the afternoon, a talented pianist struck up several of Mel's favourite songs. You could imagine Mel, singing with the heavenly angels in the background...

FACING THE WORLD

Once again the hostess with the mostess Jacqui Cohen welcomed a ritzy crowd to her 35th annual Face the World Foundation's fundraising party. I spotted former mayor and premier Gordon Campbell and former mayor and current senator Larry Campbell in the crowd, along with David and Neil Aisenstat, Jill Killeen and Colin Bosa, along with several local artists like Marie Khoui, Tiko Kerr, Richard Henriquez and George Vergette, all donating their art works for the live auction. Le Crocodile's new owner Rob Feenie provided the delectable dinner, while both Sir Tom Jones and Oprah Winfrey sent videos and congratulatory notes to Jacqui.

TALKING ABOUT YOU, POINT ROBERTS

Sometime ago I mentioned a Monika Dyk, leading the research team for Warner Bros. Discovery Poland Road Trip series, hosted by Marcin Prokop, a TV anchor, journalist and producer.

They are currently developing a research team for a segment about Point Roberts, with a strong focus on the local economy and what happens to a place so dependent on Canadian visitors when that relationship begins to break down.

They wish to understand both the practical and human side of that story - which would be ideal for the Point Roberts spokesman Brian Calder. Brian has been the main spokesperson since the COVID disaster, He has dual citizenship and constantly works the land with his two tractors and a multitude of well used tools..

While everyone has their fingers crossed for this attention-getting program to come to fruition, but there has been no response to recent messages from Brian so nobody knows for sure ...

CLERICAL CONGRATULATIONS!

Heartiest congratulations to Monsignor Greg Smith of Holy Name parish on Cambie who, last month celebrated his 40th year in the priesthood. And he hasn't aged a day! Last Sunday there was an open house celebration with an abundance of delighted parishioners from his church and many others as well.

Kudos to you, Father Greg...

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Don't forget that the annual "Launch" luncheon fundraiser on behalf of the Pacific Autism Family Network will be held at the Westin Bayshore on Thursday, November 26 at 11:30 am...Tickets going quickly...

HAPPY JULY!

July is my favourite birthday month (mine and our nation’s) so help me sing O Canada loudly and proudly. We are so lucky … Happy Canada Day everybody!