Over 900 gathered at the Vancouver Convention Centre on Saturday, November 18th, raising a record-breaking $5.95 million for robotic surgery technology, making the 22nd Night of a Thousand Stars Gala our most successful ever.

“What an incredible evening,” says Barbara Grantham, President and CEO, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. “This event is a special opportunity to recognize the incredible work many people are doing in health care. It is also an opportunity to thank the philanthropist community that has done so, so much for health care.”

The $5.95 million raised will allow us to retire our old surgical robot, Jack, so we can purchase Jack Junior, the next generation of surgery at Vancouver General Hospital. We would like to especially thank Darlene Poole for her unexpected, generous gift of $1.97 million for the new robot. Both robots are named after Darlene’s late husband, Jack Poole.

We were also honoured to present the 2017 Leadership Award to Peterson and The Yeung Family, in recognition of their exceptional philanthropic leadership.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to all of our donors, sponsors, health care partners and volunteers. Philanthropy is important to health care in this province and all of you are living proof of that.

Check out a few photos from the event.