Rosé Soirée: Rock & Roses made fundraising edgy, September 4 at the CMHR.
September 12, 2025
Walking into the Canadian Museum for Human Rights on the night of September 4, you’d have been excused for thinking you had arrived backstage at an AC/DC concert. Rosé Soirée was a full-throttle celebration of giving, glam, and guitars this year…with attitude!
St. Boniface Hospital Foundation’s sixth annual fundraising gala came roaring back under the banner of Rock & Roses, a decadent classic rock theme. The evening raised more than $130,000 for the Hospital’s Women’s Heart Health Research program.
Guests decked out in black leather jackets, sparkly dresses, band T-shirts, and other rock ‘n’ roll finery enjoyed live music by local rockers Mach 10, sipped cocktails and other beverages, and sampled creative culinary creations from eight food stations curated by Winnipeg’s top chefs.
Basic researcher positions funded
“We are here for a big and bold reason,” the Hon. Uzoma Asagwara, Manitoba’s Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care, told more than 300 guests and VIPs in the Museum’s Bonnie & John Buhler Hall.
“We want Manitoba to be the leader in women’s heart health across Canada. If you believe we can do that; if you believe that’s possible, please make some noise,” they said to thunderous cheers. “I hope that we can continue to come together, do this work in a unified way, and truly establish Manitoba as a leader in this space. Not just today, not just tomorrow, but for generations to come.”
Karen Fowler, President and CEO of the Foundation had good news to share. “Thanks to the funds raised from this and last year’s Rosé Soirée, St. B is moving forward with the recruitment of a new basic researcher to build our capacity in women’s heart health,” she announced. “We expect to have such a specialist joining our team at the Hospital by July of 2026.”
Fowler added that a second basic researcher position is also in the plans for next year.
“Every dollar raised tonight is a step closer to a world where heart disease no longer affects our mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends. Don’t stop believin’,” she remarked with a nod to the Journey classic.
Guests danced the night away
The Hon. Anita Neville, Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, even joined in the fun with her comments.
“As this is Rock & Roses, I will borrow a line from Axl Rose: ‘You’re taking me down to the Paradise City,’” she said at the podium.
“You know, I thought I saw Her Honour back at the Guns ‘n’ Roses show at the stadium,” quipped emcee Joe Aiello of rock station 92 CITI. “Now I’m positive it was her,” he added.
From the Guitar Hero video-game lounge to Mach 10 rocking the stage; from gourmet bites to unforgettable moments — this was more than a feeling. It was a huge step towards equity in cardiac research and care.
The last word went to Fowler, who told guests, “You are giving more women more time, more answers, and more hope.”
Although the evening’s last encore has ended, your commitment to women’s heart health doesn’t have to. You can advance this vital research program by