10th edition of ‘A Brilliant Night’: Raising awareness around brain cancer
Posted October 11, 2024 12:34 pm.
Our city is set to have “A Brilliant Night” on Oct. 16 — an event by the Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital with the aim to help raise awareness around brain cancer.
“We’re going to have a fabulous cocktail dînatoire, so lots of little bites, festive music, a short film projection,” said Anne-Marie Withenshaw, Canadian television host and producer who is a special guest for the event. “And try to raise money so that the Neuro keeps being a place of transformational research.”
From rocking our television screens on Music Plus, to being on the waves for radio and having recently launched her own line of frozen baked goods, Withenshaw has a lot on her plate — and is looking forward to hosting the 10th edition of the event, one that now hits close to home.
“My dad passed away from brain cancer in Jan. of 2023,” she said. “My dad was very active up until the time he was diagnosed, it came very suddenly.”
Withenshaw’s father was also her manager, and inspired her daily.
“The biggest revelation I think from him being sick was the fact that he went from being my caregiver literally,” she explained. “He took care of my career as my manager, he took care of my daughters as a grandfather with my mom obviously, but he also still took care of me.”
“He did a lot of dad things,” she added. “He washed my car, he picked up my kids from school, he walked my dog, he was still a caregiver and overnight when he got sick I became his caregiver.”
“My mother and I were both his real primary caregiver,” said Withenshaw. “I was the person that had to do what he did for me my whole life.”
“He inspires me daily.”
The fundraiser is also set to inspire through storytelling and a video experience.
Guests will also be immersed in a performance by Quebec musical artist, Gregory Charles.
“Every year A Brilliant Night, the event organized by the Neuro raises so much money and awareness and education,” said Withenshaw. “The event is taking place at the Montreal Forum.”
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 16 and is set to be a brilliant night.
