Canuck Place Gift of Time Gala Photos
byThe Canuck Place Gift of Time Gala took place on Saturday evening, with over 600 guests in attendance at the Westin Bayshore.
Hosted by Global BC’s Chris Gailus and sold out months in advance, Canuck Place supporters including guests, sponsors, volunteers, board members and staff came together and raised a new record total of $1.24 million to support the complex care of BC’s children with life-threatening illnesses and the families who love them.
Canuck Place Gift of Time Gala
Gala Co-Chairs, Emily Lazare and Shanni Eckford led a creative and passionate volunteer gala and wine committee who were pivotal to the success of the event. Canuck Place parent, Maureen Laforge, whose daughter Angela passed away on the Canuck Place program, spoke eloquently to a captivated audience, of the critical care they received from Canuck Place.
“You see love here every day. It’s the most intense of embraces, where people show up with their best love. It is the most animated and open and raw expression. It is filled with joy and love.” – Canuck Place CEO, Margaret McNeil
“Being the parent of a critically ill child feels like being in the middle of a hurricane, and tornado, and a tsunami all at the same time and all the while your child looks to you to calm the winds, block the flying debris, and hold back the waves – they look to you to save them. It is a most helpless feeling I have ever felt.” – Family speaker Maureen LaForge
“I wish the world was one without critically ill or dying children but it is. So, instead, I wish that all families could have the opportunity to have their last weeks, days, or hours with their child, at Canuck Place. Like we had with Angela.” – Family speaker Maureen LaForge
Click here to donate to Canuck Place »
The Gift of Time Gala has raised over $10 million for Canuck Place children and families in the past 13 years. All funds raised support the delivery of pediatric palliative care through the Canuck Place provincial program.
Miss604 is proud to be the Social Media Sponsor of the Gift of Time Gala.
Upcoming Canuck Place Events
The Dog
Canuck Place partnered with Greystone books on a new children’s book inspired by a visit to Canuck Place and Poppy the therapy dog! Canuck Place Medical Director, Dr. Hal Siden will be reading the book, with Poppy at his side at Kidsbooks on October 26th.
Liz Rose Seven Summits
On November 3rd, Liz is poised to become the youngest Canadian to climb the Seven Summits – The tallest mountain on each continent. For her final climb, she’s fundraising for Canuck Place, and is even bringing a flag signed by Canuck Place kids to the top of her final mountain in Australia.
