Manitoba ACS Network Gala
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended and supported the Manitoba ACS Network Gala, a special fundraising evening in support of the Manitoba ACS Network and to honour the legacy of Dr. John Ducas. The evening was a tremendous success and an enjoyable celebration for all! The event opened with captivating performances by the Winnipeg Chinese Youth Lion Dance Team and the WCSA Chinese Folk Orchestra. Guests then enjoyed a delicious nine-course meal while being entertained by comedian Big Daddy Tazz. Throughout the evening, touching speeches recounting significant moments in Dr. John Ducas’ career were shared, and the night came to an end after the much-anticipated raffle draw. Thanks to your generosity and enthusiasm, the gala was not only a night to remember but also a meaningful step forward in advancing heart health across Manitoba.
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Her Honour, the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, the Honourable Anita Neville, as well as MLA Carla Compton for joining us at our event. Our heartfelt thanks also go to our speakers—Karen Fowler, Dr. Anita Soni, Dr. Rob Grierson, Dr. Kunal Minhas, and Dr. Robin Ducas—and to our MC for the evening, Dr. Mahwash Saeed. Most importantly, we would like to recognize Dr. John Ducas for his retirement and for giving us such a wonderful reason to celebrate.
We would also like to acknowledge those who could not attend but generously contributed through donations, including Councillor of Waverley West Janice Lukes, St. Boniface Hospital CMO Kristjan Thompson, Nitin Arora, and Mabel Garcea. Special thanks go to the Winnipeg Chinese Youth Lion Dance Team, the WCSA Chinese Folk Orchestra, and comedian Big Daddy Tazz for their outstanding performances throughout the evening.
We are deeply grateful to Songyan Liu for his time, expertise, and resources, and to the volunteers from the Winnipeg Chinese Senior Association for their invaluable help with setup, errands, calligraphy, and photography. Our thanks also go to Geoffrey, Le, and the staff at Kum Koon Garden—along with Natalie—for making the planning process seamless and serving a delicious meal. We would also like to thank Brooklynn for her assistance with printed materials, and our junior volunteers, Sophie and Leila, for warmly welcoming guests and guiding them to their seats.
Finally, a special thank you to Arianna, Alex, and Diana for helping organize and support the event, and to Dr. Shuangbo Liu and Andrea De Haan, whose countless hours of planning and dedication made this evening possible. Together, your support helps the Manitoba ACS Network continue its mission—improving heart attack care and outcomes for patients across our province.
