The Canadian Cancer Society held an event for lovers of all things chocolate at the Hilton Hotel by the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport yesterday. 

The event featured 35 local vendors, whose products are all chocolate related. 

Genny Sacco-Bak is the Fundraising Coordinator for the Canadian Cancer Society in Manitoba and says the idea came to her when a friend of hers planned something similar that didn't end up working out. 

She says her friend let her use the idea and it turned into a big success as they got a lot of vendors on board and as of yesterday afternoon, they sold over 150 tickets prior to the event. 

"This is something different, something unique that isn't really being done," said Sacco-Bak. "We do a gala, we have our relay for life, our dragonboat, our daffodil campaign that have been going on for years. Those are great and people still participate in them but we wanted something new, we wanted to mix things up. Everyone enjoys chocolate and some poeple are crazy about it and it's fun because you can reach out across a whole variety of people." 

"For us it's a win win," she continued. "We're supporting local businesses and they're in turn helping to support us, so the money we raise here is going to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients." 

People who attended the event paid $75 per ticket, but received a gift bag full of chocolate products and a tax receipt. 

Sacco-Bak says the money people spend on their tickets means so much more. 

"The $75 they spend is providing rides for three cancer patients to and from treatment through our transportation program," said Sacco-Bak. "It's a win for everyone a win for the attendees, vendors, the Canadian Cancer Society and most importantly the cancer patients." 

Sacco-Bak says this is something they plan on doing in the future, and she's hopeful the event will grow to include more people.

The event took place on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016.

For more information, visit the Canadian Cancer Society's website.