Conair in Abbotsford has donated $22,000 to the Crystal Gala Foundation and is challenging local businesses and individuals to support the organization, particularly with its main source of fundraising being put on hold due this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The annual Crystal Gala is held every October, and that event has contributed to the more than $3 million that has been raised since 1999 for the fight against breast cancer.
Conair CEO and chairman Barry Marsden said the Crystal Gala has been instrumental in raising funds to help support those diagnosed with breast cancer.
“Our team is honoured to have been able to support them each year since their inception, more than 22 years ago, and proudly continues our support with a donation of $1,000 for each year of our partnership,” he said.
“We challenge those who can to give what they can, especially in this year when the foundation’s main source of fundraising has been put on hold due to COVID. If you attended their amazing event in the past, whether as a ticket holder, table purchaser, live auction winner, sponsor or donor, we encourage you to give again to this outstanding organization.”
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The Crystal Gala Foundation was founded in 1999 by Tammy Preast and Gerri Charles with a goal of enhancing care and treatment for breast cancer patients in the region, which spans from Surrey to Hope.
Its main source of funds is the annual Crystal Gala, which last year raised $315,000. Most recently, three tissue-processing machines worth over $185,000 were purchased at the local level.
In 2019, the foundation purchased a $60,000 Neoprobe – used to stage cancer in breast cancer patients – and paid the remaining $362,000 for a new diagnostic mammography unit, which should be delivered to ARHCC later this year.
A Lead Gift of $500,000 was donated to the Campaign for Healthcare Excellence in 2008 supporting the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre.
Conair manufactures aircraft for use in aerial firefighting and transporting people/cargo in support of emergency response operations.
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