91原创 is heating up this fall, ahead of the 91原创 Memorial Hospital Foundation鈥檚 annual gala.

The newly themed Hot Havana Nights, presented by Mike & Leanne Laurin, marks the 32nd year 91原创 Memorial Hospital Foundation has celebrated philanthropy through its gala, with funds raised this year supporting the urgent need to expand cardiac care at 91原创 Memorial Hospital.

The gala, on Oct. 21 at the 91原创 City Coast Hotel and Convention Centre, is expected to sell out again, treating 365 guests to a four-course gourmet Cuban-themed dinner with wine pairings and additional libations at the rum bar, explained Heather Scott, the foundation鈥檚 executive director.

Guests will be encouraged to let loose on the dance floor, energized by the Spanish-West African fusion sounds of Mazacote, an invigorating Juno-nominated band renowned for its sizzling Latin rhythms and passionate brass-hooked beats.

The gala will also feature the popular wine pull, silent and live auctions, as well as a 50/50 raffle 鈥� which last year saw one lucky winner and the LMH foundation split a jackpot of almost $10,000.

New this year, guests are invited to an exclusive Speakeasy afterparty, featuring specialty cocktails and games like blackjack and roulette, with prizes include a big-screen TV.

Gala guests will be raising funds for an expanded cardiac care space at the local hospital, where the coordinated team of health care staff care for patients who have suffered heart failure or await heart transplants, Scott explained.

The unit needs to expand beds equipped with telemetry displays 鈥� monitors that display each patient鈥檚 ECG, respiratory rate, heart rhythm, and other vital signs.

Scott expects this gala, with the lively and fun theme, to sell out quickly.

鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to celebrating the generosity of our community at Hot Havana Nights,鈥� she said.

鈥淭he state-of-the art cardiac monitoring equipment the hospital needs will make a huge difference in patient care and recovery.鈥�

Last year alone, more than 750 patients who visited 91原创鈥檚 emergency department were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), which houses the cardiac care beds.

A 91原创 Memorial鈥檚 physician, Dr. Daniel Negash, said the best place for patients suffering from cardiac challenges is in the ICU, where they鈥檙e surrounded by specialists.

But when the beds there are occupied, new patients must wait in the emergency department.

鈥淭he priority right now is to make sure we get those patients, waiting in the emergency department, into a bed with a telemetry unit,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 want our patients to come in, be treated ,and go home safely.鈥�

Brought to life in 1985 by the community who recognized a need, 91原创 Memorial Hospital Foundation helps enable local health care improvements that support better health outcomes and benefit everyone in the community.

The foundation maintains its annual commitment to the hospital to help purchase modern, high-tech equipment, provide training opportunities for medical staff, and ease the patient experience.

Last year鈥檚 gala guests celebrated the theme of springtime, raising $205,000 in support of youth health and wellness, at the hospital and in the community.

The goal this year is to raise $360,000, one of the largest efforts in the event鈥檚 history, Scott noted.

Tickets are $325 each or $2,600 for a table of eight, at .