VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is proud to announce that John Andru, Associate Director, Major Gifts has been recognized by the Association of Health Care Professionals (AHP) as a Top 40 Under 40 Award recipient.
The 40 Under 40 program is designed to recognize the future leaders within the health care philanthropy community. AHP is honouring these 40 young professionals because they are shaping the future of the health care development industry. Collectively, they are changing the world—one campaign at a time.
John has a true passion for philanthropy, and has worked in health care fundraising for nearly 15 years, joining the Foundation in 2016.
“Health as a topic is relevant to everyone regardless of gender, age, and socio-economic status,” says John. “I’m also very squeamish about blood so this is as close as I’ll get to medicine, a discipline and profession that I have tremendous admiration and respect for.”
John has played key roles in some of Vancouver’s most highly regarded philanthropic events and campaigns, including the development of the inaugural BC Cancer Foundation Hope Couture event in 2014 and the launch of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation’s Brain Breakthroughs campaign in 2019.
This $35 million campaign for brain health is a uniquely complex initiative, and the case for support document received Bronze level recognition at the 2020 Canadian Marketing Awards.
“John possesses a rare combination of a natural major gift fundraiser who connects on an authentic level with donors and physician partners – plus a very analytical mind,” says Laura Walsh, Senior Vice President, Philanthropy, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. “He is keen to understand the health care and research advances we support, and he is also committed to ensuring best practices in fund development are shared, learned and followed.”
In addition to his day job in philanthropy, John has also been involved in numerous volunteer projects, including serving on the boards of McLaren Housing Society of BC and Seva Canada.
“It is such a privilege to work with doctors, nurses, and researchers to help advance health care,” says John. “I want to continue to make the world a better place by connecting philanthropic resources to great ideas and projects that have the potential to positively impact the lives and health of people.”
To learn more about the Forty Under 40 program and each of this year’s recipients, visit www.ahp.org/40under40
The Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) is an international professional organization dedicated exclusively to development professionals who encourage charity in health care organizations. AHP’s 4,500 members represent more than 2,200 health care facilities around the world. They collectively raise more than $11 billion each year for community health services.
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. We partner 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.
