BABY BOOM: B.C. Women’s Hospital has been devoted to the health of British Columbia’s mom’s newborns and families since 1927. Thanks to a $17-million campaign now in its homestretch, the Newborn Intensive Care Unit will soon open its doors this fall. Ensuring the Hope Starts Here efforts crosses the finish line, Karim Kassam and Sofia Sayani steered the hospital foundation’s latest GLOW Gala, an evening in support of essential life-saving equipment for our province’s tiniest patients. This year’s proceeds will go towards high-resolution 3D imaging machines. Diagnostic radiologist Dr. Denise Pugash got his glow on bringing the life-saving equipment to the Pan Pacific party to demonstrate its capabilities. The glittery night, sponsored by Telus and led by CTV’s Tamara Taggart, would eventually rake in $738,000 from the hospital show and tell.Â
SUCCESSFUL NIGHT: Once again, more than 750 guests took their seats at the SUCCESS Foundation’s Bridge to SUCCESS Gala. Staged at the Westin Bayshore, the event drew dignitaries and vote-getting politicians who made the yearly affair in support of essential immigrant programs and services for youth, women, families and seniors to help them settle in their new country. A leading date on the Chinese social calendar, the gala once again was packed with presentations, speeches, performances and a bevy of fundraising games. All told, the event raised an impressive $540,000, bringing smiles to gala chairs Brandon Hui, Jason Lam and Walter Soo. Among the dignitaries at the event: Minister of Justice Jody Wilson-Raybould, B.C. Premier Christy Clark and Councillor Raymond Louie.
CAVITY FIGHTER: Save a Smile is an innovative program that has been providing low-income children and youth with dental care with the help of volunteer dentists. The community-based dental health program established by the B.C. Dental Association was the beneficiary once again at the 17th annual Toothfairy Gala. The social-capper to the yearly Pacific Dental Conference, more than 300 industry professionals gathered for the dinner and cake auction, and awards ceremony celebrating the industry’s best and brightest. Yours truly took on the auctioneering duties as seven beautifully decorated cakes went up for sale. Cake creations by celebrated pastry chefs Thomas Haas and Peter Fong garnered the night’s highest bids. Fetching $12,000 and $8,000 respectively, the multi-layer masterpieces contributed to a sweet sum of $110,000 for the dental initiative, putting a big smile on Save a Smile champions Dr. Angelique Leung and Dr. Raymond Fong.
Hear Fred Mondays 8:20 a.m. on CBC Radio’s The Early Edition AM690 and 88.1FM; Email: [email protected]; Twitter: @FredAboutTown
