The 11th annual Gift of Love Gala in Abbotsford on March 8 raised $460,000 for Canuck Place Children's Hospice.
The event, presented by MNP, welcomed more than 250 guests to the Clarion Hotel and Conference Centre.
Riaz Meghji, author of Every Conversation Counts, was MC for the evening, which featured live and silent auctions led by auctioneer Crystal Campbell, entertainers from the MEI Drumline and Langley Ukulele Ensemble, and dancing with DJ Marvel.
CEO Denise Praill thanked all those who supported the event, including the gala co-chairs Aprille Ferrario, Denise de Jonge and Suzanne Adams and numerous volunteers.
Canuck Place parents Hope and Ben Cholette shared the story of their son, Jack, and their family’s care experience at Canuck Place.
Their in-hospice stays at Canuck Place allowed the couple to focus on spending time together as a family and creating precious memories, while Canuck Place clinicians also cared for Jack’s complex medical needs.
"Canuck Place allows families moments of normalcy in a world of chaos and uncertainty," Hope said.
"When everything becomes medicalized, sometimes health-care professionals only see the condition and forget to see the child. Canuck Place cares for the child first and then the condition."
Attendees bid on exclusive auction items and supported Canuck Place medical respite care through Fund-A-Need.
Guests also participated in a candle-lighting ceremony in honour of Jack and the children who have been cared for at Canuck Place over the past 30 years.
The funds raised at the Gift of Love Gala will support the growing need for essential pediatric palliative care provided at Canuck Place.
On average, a child is on program for six years, and their family remains in bereavement care for three years.
Last year alone, Canuck Place had a 23 per cent increase in family members receiving overnight respite care in hospices, and a 61 per cent increase in children and families on program over the last decade.
Canuck Place raises 60 per cent of its operating funds through community donors and corporate supporters.
There are two locations – in Abbotsford and Vancouver – that serve families across B.C.
Visit canuckplace.org for more information.
