On the evening of February 24, more than 450 generous guests raised $4,343,552 at the annual 2018 Viva Pharmaceutical Time to Shine Gala. The funds raised will go towards the transformative Future of Surgery campaign which will enhance surgical care for British Columbians.

“I am so humbled by the generosity I witnessed last night,” says Barbara Grantham, President & CEO, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. “The funds raised will make a significant impact on patients and their families, allowing both Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) and UBC Hospital to focus on the most complex surgery cases in this province.”

Together, VGH and UBC Hospital perform more than 30,000 surgeries per year and handle 60 per cent of the province’s adult trauma cases. The funds raised at the exclusive event will make a significant impact by allowing VGH to focus on the most acute surgery cases — such as traumas, complex cancer surgeries and complex transplants. Thanks to the dedicated support of our passionate sponsors, donors, community partners, staff and volunteers, we are advancing our goal to improve surgical care for patients by transforming the VGH operating room suite and UBC Hospital facilities.

Launched in 2015, the annual Viva Pharmaceutical Time to Shine Gala has become the signature event for the Chinese philanthropic community in Vancouver. Last night’s event brings the impressive total of the galas to $10 million.

A special thanks to the talented Wings Vocal Collective and the world-famous Goh Ballet who performed a memorable piece for this event only. Fairmont Pacific Rim Executive Chef Nathan Brown and Chef Julien Royer, chef-owner of two-Michelin-starred Odette restaurant in Singapore, dazzled the guests with an unforgettable four-course meal using fresh, local ingredients from the Pacific Northwest.

The Future of Surgery campaign strengthens the resources of VGH and UBC Hospital as a single, state-of-the-art, efficient and effective surgical program. The passionate support demonstrated at the Time to Shine Gala will ensure our hospitals can provide sustainable, world-class care for British Columbians. Thanks to the that passion, we are now one big step closer to that reality.

Thank you to all of the guests, donors, sponsors and staff who made the evening a shining success.

About VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation

VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is Vancouver Coastal Health’s primary philanthropic partner, raising funds for specialized adult health services and research for all British Columbians. The Foundation partners with donors to drive innovation and sustainable health care at VGH & UBC Hospital, GF Strong Rehab Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute and Vancouver Community Health Services.

Contact

Tiffany Kraus
Director, Marketing and Communications
Office: (604) 875 – 5196
Cell: (778) 952 – 6147
VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
Email: Tiffany.Kraus@vghfoundation.ca