About Vanessa Muri
Montreal City Editor Vanessa Muri has lived in London and Tokyo, but finds the charms of her hometown irresistible. From the latest scoops to the best deals in Montreal and everything in between, don't miss her weekly take on life in the fair city.
Jeans, Jewels and JD
fundraising gala Montreal
(May.08.09)
I had an amazing time last weekend at Denim & Diamonds 2009. The evening got under way at 7pm and simply didn't stop. (OK, so I heard the last stragglers may have left at 4am.)
This was my first appearance at the event, though I'd heard about it for years. It was exhilarating to see the lines forming on the red carpet to enter the Just for Laughs Museum. Dressed in all manner of denim and some of the best bling I've ever seen (both real and fake), people of all ages and backgrounds came together for one great cause. 
For those who don't know, Denim & Diamonds is a charity event to raise money for Hope & Cope, a non-profit organization that provides invaluable psychosocial support to cancer patients and their families. All proceeds support programs at the JGH Wellness Centre as well as specialized programs aimed at the growing number of young cancer patients aged 18-35.
Dismal fact: Despite an increase in the number of young adult cancer cases, the survival rate since the 1970's has not changed. With all the advances in medicine and research over the years, it's hard to believe, isn't it?
The event drew in some big-name talent, including Deborah Cox (who performed her set with incredible passion), JD Fortune (not only is he beautiful on the outside, he has a heart of gold) and the multi-talented Sonia Benezra as host extraordinaire.
But this isn't just a rant about how great the party was. I was blown away by the fundraising committee, the true diamonds of the evening. An incredible group of women and one fabulous man came together, and after countless hours and meetings, somehow pulled off one of the best nights of the year. How do I know? I was lucky enough to be one of them.
No one could ever calculate how many hours we all spent on the phone, on the computer, on the road and generally working hard. Even stuffing the countless loot bags (over a two-day period) became a fun way to connect and get to know this dynamic group better. The respect and admiration I have for these 15 young adults is set in stone.
Photography: Marc Muri
(P.S. By the way, that loot bag was filled with some cool stuff, including the D&D Magazine. If you can get your hands on one, or already did, open it. Read the survivor stories. It will tell you much more than this blog ever could.)