How loss, friendship, community (and some dancing) built an ovarian cancer fundraiser

Leanne Moussa, president at All Saints Developments and chair of The Other Hill, on the dance floor with friends at The Dance For Her fundraiser for ovarian cancer research, held at the Métropolitain Brasserie. Photo by Caroline Phillips

How loss, friendship, community (and some dancing) built an ovarian cancer fundraiser

Published On: January 23, 2026By Caroline Phillips

What began as two men offering comfort after their buddy lost his sister to ovarian cancer has grown into an annual fundraiser embraced year after year by a caring community from The Hill.

The Dance For Her returned Thursday night to the Métropolitain Brasserie in support of Ovarian Cancer Canada and its efforts to find better treatment and prevention methods for the deadliest of women’s cancers.

Each year, roughly 3,100 women are diagnosed with the disease but because it’s often detected too late, the five-year survival rate is 44 percent.

The event founders consist of three seasoned public affairs professionals: Greg MacEachern, principal and founder of KAN Strategies; Bobby Sutherland, senior director of government affairs at Gilead Sciences; and George Wamala, director of regulatory and government affairs at RBC. Based on early estimates, the evening raised more than $35,000, with more donations expected to trickle in, Wamala confirmed today.

Fundraisers aren’t often started solely by men, particularly for women’s health causes. When the event first launched six years ago, MacEachern had just lost his sister to ovarian cancer, while Wamala had lost his mother to the disease in 2001, when she was 52. Since then, the founders have been joined each year by a growing number of women volunteers.

From left, Greg MacEachern (KAN Strategies), George Wamala (RBC) and Bobby Sutherland (Gilead Sciences) started The Dance For Her fundraiser for Ovarian Cancer Canada in 2020 after they met up at Métropolitain Brasserie to console MacEachern over the recent loss of his sister from the disease. Photo by Caroline Phillips

MacEachern quoted Maryon Pearson, wife of former prime minister Lester B. Pearson: “Behind every successful man is a very surprised woman,” acknowledging the committee members who so ably support them. They are Heather Bakken (Pendulum Group), Shannon Kot (Deloitte), Janice Nicholson (Bluesky Strategy Group) and Sophie Normand (Innovative Medicines Canada).

Sarah Chown, co-owner and managing partner of the Métropolitain Brasserie, which is the birthplace of the fundraiser and ongoing host, has also been a big part of its success.

The benefit brought the Parliament Hill ecosystem together to socialize before the House of Commons resumes sitting next week. Attendees included Ottawa–Vanier–Gloucester MP Mona Fortier, who’s also parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. It’s a portfolio that continues to dominate headlines. “Anything going on you want to talk about?” MacEachern teased while introducing her.

Fortier spoke about losing a cousin to ovarian cancer four years ago. “It’s very sad to see how fast she left us,” she added, voicing her hope that progress will be made on curing or better managing the disease.

The sold-out The Dance For Her fundraiser for ovarian cancer research returned to the Métropolitain Brasserie on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Greg MacEachern, George Wamala, Sophie Normand, Janice Nicholson, Bobby Sutherland and Shannon Kot (absent is Heather Bakken) organized The Dance For Her, an annual fundraiser in support of ovarian cancer research, held at the Métropolitain Brasserie. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, committee member Sophie Normand, director of federal government relations at founding sponsor Innovative Medicines Canada, and Mona Fortier, MP for Ottawa-Vanier-Gloucester, at an annual fundraiser held in support of ovarian cancer research at the Métropolitain Brasserie. Photo by Caroline Phillips

George Wamala, director of regulatory and government affairs at RBC and co-founder of The Dance For Her fundraiser, and Sarah Chown, co-owner and managing partner of the Métropolitain Brasserie, where the event is held each January. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Ovarian Cancer Canada told the sold-out crowd of 125 about the work it’s doing in the area of advancing research. Unfortunately, 75 percent of women are diagnosed at Stage 3 or Stage 4, said CEO Tania Vrionis.

“What that means is that by the time ovarian cancer reaches these stages, most current treatments aren’t effective long-term. There are many reasons for this. We could talk a lot about women’s health and, certainly, the continual pattern of being dismissed and misdiagnosed, but one of the greatest reasons that this happens is that there is no effective screening test for ovarian cancer. By the time it’s found, it is in the late stage.”

OCC is investing in better ways to detect ovarian cancer earlier, including a blood test that looks for changes in DNA linked to the disease. “If this research is successful, it could provide a revolutionary diagnostic tool for women in just a few short years. That is what you are supporting by being here tonight,” she said to cheers and applause. “Hope is alive, I tell you, hope is alive.”

Tania Vrionis, CEO of Ovarian Cancer Canada, spoke about the new developments in ovarian cancer prevention during a fundraiser held at Métropolitain Brasserie. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Attendees of The Dance For Her fundraiser for ovarian cancer research listen to brief remarks from organizers. Photo by Caroline Phillips

After the brief speeches, the evening shifted back to celebration. Because there are no organizational costs, all funds raised last night go directly to the cause. Former Newfoundland and Labrador MP Scott Simms, now a senior associate at Hill & Knowlton, won the big prize: a Canada Goose winter jacket courtesy of Maple Leaf Strategies.

And it’s always a sight to see, especially in the dead of winter, a dance floor full of smiling faces. Joining in the fun was George Weber, chair of the board at Calian Group and, for many years, the president and CEO of the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group. His connection to the event was through his wife, respected journalist and author Julie Van Dusen.

“I love dancing,” said Weber, whose mother ran a dance studio when he was growing up in Montreal.

George Weber, chair of the board at Calian Group, on the dance floor during The Dance For Her fundraiser for Ovarian Cancer Canada held at the Métropolitain Brasserie on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Olivier Jérôme, Wilma Deen, Sophie Normand, Hugh Scott, Alex Dobrescu, Sarah Bennett and Rochelle Trainor, all from Innovative Medicines Canada, were out supporting The Dance For Her fundraiser for Ovarian Cancer Canada held at the Métropolitain Brasserie on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Co-organizer Bobby Sutherland holds up a draw prize — a signed image of the New York Islanders from their glory years with Denis Potvin — before offering a $100 donation to claim it. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Maple Leaf Strategies partner Gordon Quaiattini, principal Alik Angaladian and research consultant Emma Jones at The Dance For Her fundraiser for Ovarian Cancer Canada held at the Métropolitain Brasserie on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Co-organizer Janice Nicholson, vice president of digital at Bluesky Strategy Group, and Susan Smith, principal and co-founder of Bluesky Strategy Group, at The Dance For Her fundraiser for Ovarian Cancer Canada held at the Métropolitain Brasserie on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Cameron Penner (Payments Canada), Morgan Swan (Railway Association of Canada), Craig Robinson (Earnscliffe Strategies), and Chris McCluskey (TC Energy) at a fundraiser for ovarian cancer research, at the Métropolitain Brasserie. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, House of Commons communications advisor Olivia Cannings, public affairs executive Graham Fox, journalist and author Julie Van Dusen, senior executive leader George Weber, and Mona Fortier, MP for Ottawa-Vanier-Gloucester, at a fundraiser for ovarian cancer research, held at the Métropolitain Brasserie. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Prospectus Associates senior partner Bruce Hartley won Ottawa Senators tickets donated by Chris Dean, who was the DJ for The Dance for Her fundraiser for ovarian cancer research, held at the Métropolitain Brasserie. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Co-organizer Sophie Normand, director of federal government relations at founding sponsor Innovative Medicines Canada, made brief remarks at The Dance For Her fundraiser for ovarian cancer research, held at the Métropolitain Brasserie. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, the British High Commission’s Melanie Sayers, Megan Lalonde and Christiana Osei at The Dance For Her fundraiser for ovarian cancer research, held at the Métropolitain Brasserie. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Mathieu Gravel, chief of staff at the City of Ottawa, and Sarah Chown, co-owner and managing partner of the Métropolitain Brasserie, at The Dance For Her fundraiser for ovarian cancer research. Photo by Caroline Phillips

From left, Jim Patrick, founder and principal of Montcalm Management Group, Hill & Knowlton senior associate Scott Simms and Velma McColl, principal at Earnscliffe, at The Dance For Her fundraiser for ovarian cancer research, held at the Métropolitain Brasserie. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Kelly Mounce, who won a $350 gift certificate to Le Nordik Spa, and co-organizer Janice Nicholson from Bluesky Strategy Group at The Dance For Her fundraiser for ovarian cancer research, held at the Métropolitain Brasserie. Photo by Caroline Phillips

Co-organizer Bobby Sutherland auctioned off some Blue Jays tickets, along with a signed jersey held by George Wamala, that sold for $1,500 to Maple Leaf Strategies partner Gordon Quaiattini at The Dance For Her fundraiser for ovarian cancer research, held at the Métropolitain Brasserie. Photo by Caroline Phillips

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel, RBC, Welch LLP, Brazeau Seller Law.

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