Vancouver, BC – Local philanthropists from the Chinese-Canadian community in Vancouver joined together on Saturday, February 1, to raise $3 million towards transforming surgical care at Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Hospital. More than 300 philanthropists, and health care and community leaders attended the 2020 Lion Way Properties Time to Shine gala on Saturday for an evening of splendour, celebration and fundraising in support of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation’s Future of Surgery campaign. By the end of the night, the fundraising total of $3 million broke past the $60 million goal of the campaign.
“The Future of Surgery campaign has garnered tremendous support from thousands of donors across the province,” says Angela Chapman, President & CEO of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. “I would like to especially thank the Chinese-Canadian community of Metro Vancouver for their generosity to this campaign, including William Lin and An-Nien Lu, whose $1 million gift at the 2020 Lion Way Properties Time to Shine gala was instrumental in closing this campaign.”
“The surgeons at VGH do incredible work, but in order to best treat patients, they need the best surgical environment,” says William Lin, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation Board Member. “Philanthropy can have an incredible impact on the health care of our families, friends and community. Donor funding is already saving lives, and the impact will only grow with further support.”
The Future of Surgery campaign launched in 2016 with the goal of reducing wait times for surgical procedures, equipping the hospitals with groundbreaking technology, enhancing surgical spaces, and optimizing recovery for faster and improved patient outcomes. Because of the generosity and support from thousands of donors from across BC, the Phil & Jennie Gaglardi Surgical Centre at VGH is on track to open in early 2021. Renovated surgical spaces are already open at UBC Hospital.
“As a committed, long-term member of the community, we at Lion Way Properties are dedicated to bettering the lives of people in BC,” said Willie Li, founder and CEO of Lion Way Properties Ltd. and title sponsor of the Gala. “We are honoured to partner with VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation to help reach the fundraising goal for the Future of Surgery campaign.”
VGH and UBC Hospital are centres of surgical excellence caring for 60% of all adult trauma cases in BC. With 50% of surgical patients from outside Vancouver, over 30,000 surgeries are completed each year — saving and improving the lives of our loved ones.
To ensure our medical teams have the best environments to undertake their life-saving work, a $145 million transformation of the surgical facilities at VGH and UBC Hospital is under way. And while Vancouver Coastal Health and the provincial government are funding the majority of the costs, the Future of Surgery campaign has raised $60 million.
Donations have already been put to use — saving the lives of patients every day.
Event Photos
Future of Surgery Photos
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. 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.
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Contact:
Sam Smith
Officer, Marketing & Communications
Office: (604) 875 4676 ext 69680
Cell: (778) 389 4897
VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
Email: sam.smith@vghfoundation.ca