December 2, 2023

Fred Lee shines a highlight on Vancouver’s social scene

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NIGHT OF MAGIC: A file turnout for Kids’s Want Basis’s Night time of Wonders Gala. Greater than 400 company — dynamic influencers, enterprise and neighborhood leaders — taxied into the London Aviation Hanger at YVR Vancouver Worldwide Airport for the B.C. and Yukon chapter’s flagship soiree.

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As soon as once more led by The Lazy Connoisseur’s Kevin Mazzone and Avenue PR’s Tiffany Soper, together with a powerhouse committee of younger professionals, the venue was remodeled right into a magical social gathering palace for the occasion’s sixth staging, courtesy of Soha Lavin’s Countdown Occasions crew.

A far cry from the charity dinner’s humble beginnings within the Vancouver Artwork Gallery lobby, this yr’s Instagram-worthy social gathering, sponsored by Pacific Blue Cross, had all of the makings for a file evening. From the standout decor and advantageous meals to the music and heartfelt tales from want children recognized with a life-threatening sickness, no expense was sparred to make sure a magical consequence.

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Attendees started the night with distinctive Okanagan wines from Liquidity Wines and customized cocktails by Octavia Vodka. After many selfies and exchanges of air kisses the very handsome crowd settled into their seats for a multi-course meal curated by the Lazy Connoisseur. The scrumptious dinner fuelled bidding on eight-luxury one-of-a-kind experiences. The stay public sale packages would set up the most important tally up to now elevating $137,000. The spectacular displaying together with the paddle increase to grant extra needs to some 300 children on the want ready checklist would in the end see the philanthropic crowd empty their wallets of $550,000.

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“Our hearts are full. We’re humbled and actually grateful to everybody for his or her assist to grant needs for youngsters recognized with a life-threatening sickness,” stated Hannah Smith, Provincial Director of Kids’s Want Basis, B.C. and Yukon Chapter. “The outpouring of affection and assist we acquired will permit us to fund half of the 110 needs we are going to grant within the subsequent yr.

John Crawford, President & CEO, Pacific Blue Cross and Heidi Worthington, Senior Vice-President, Chief Revenue Officer, Pacific Blue Cross, Chief Operating Officer for subsidiary BC Life, were delighted at the record haul raised to grant more wishes to kids living with life-threatening illnesses.
John Crawford, President & CEO, Pacific Blue Cross and Heidi Worthington, Senior Vice-President, Chief Income Officer, Pacific Blue Cross, Chief Working Officer for subsidiary BC Life, have been delighted on the file haul raised to grant extra needs to children residing with life-threatening diseases. Picture by Fred Lee /PNG
Accompanied by his wife Suzanne, Dylan Thomas, President, London Air Services provided his airport hangar for the Night of Wonders Gala. The event would soar to new heights raising $550,000 for B.C. Yukon chapter of the Children’s Wish Foundation.
Accompanied by his spouse Suzanne, Dylan Thomas, President, London Air Providers supplied his airport hangar for the Night time of Wonders Gala. The occasion would soar to new heights elevating $550,000 for B.C. Yukon chapter of the Kids’s Want Basis. Picture by Fred Lee /PNG
Wish recipient and night’s special performer Anna Joy Ryan flanked by Hannah Smith, Children’s Wish Provincial Director and Jill Slattery, Children’s Wish communication specialist. Ryan who performed an acrobatic number had her wish to meet and perform with Cirque du Soleil granted.
Want recipient and evening’s particular performer Anna Pleasure Ryan flanked by Hannah Smith, Kids’s Want Provincial Director and Jill Slattery, Kids’s Want communication specialist. Ryan who carried out an acrobatic quantity had her want to meet and carry out with Cirque du Soleil granted. Picture by Fred Lee /PNG
Night of Wonders emcee Sophie Lui of Global News and event creative director Jessica Hollander, director of marketing and communications at Carruthers & Humphrey brought back the romance of air travel for one special night.
Night time of Wonders emcee Sophie Lui of International Information and occasion artistic director Jessica Hollander, director of selling and communications at Carruthers & Humphrey introduced again the romance of air journey for one particular evening. Picture by Fred Lee /PNG
Opencare’s Clay Brown and Vancity’s Ryan McKinley were among a jet set group of young professionals who made the scene to grant wishes to some very special kids.
Opencare’s Clay Brown and Vancity’s Ryan McKinley have been amongst a jet set group of younger professionals who made the scene to grant needs to some very particular children. Picture by Fred Lee /PNG
Enjoying a night out on the town for a good cause was PR firm principal Shannon Heth and everything-wood MGA architect Michael Green.
Having fun with an evening out in town for trigger was PR agency principal Shannon Heth and everything-wood MGA architect Michael Inexperienced. Picture by Fred Lee /PNG

HOCKEY HEROES: Three very particular company helped catapult the Kidney Basis of Canada’s Kidney Gala to new heights. Native hockey coach Stephen Gillis and Toby and Bernadine Boulet, mother and father of Humboldt Broncos participant Logan Boulet, have been the occasion’s featured audio system on the B.C. and Yukon chapter’s seventh charity dinner and public sale. Led by gala chair and occasion creator Dr. Adeera Levin, a renown nephrologist and researcher, greater than 300 company attended the Friday evening social gathering on the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver Lodge.

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An emotional night of storytelling and giving, Gillis started the evening sharing his private kidney journey. Head coach of the Spirit, a peewee group within the Vancouver Minor Hockey Affiliation, Gillis was recognized with a uncommon kidney illness simply over a yr in the past. Since then his situation has worsened along with his kidney operate dropping to the purpose that he has wanted to start out dialysis to maintain his blood clear. There’s at present no treatment for kidney illness; dialysis or a transplant is the one choices for these with kidney failure.

As a coach Gillis not solely taught his gamers about hockey, but in addition the significance of giving again, and neighborhood. An excellent trainer, the group took his lesson to coronary heart and made it their mission to search out their coach a residing donor. They created and posted a heartfelt video this previous January that has gone viral capturing the eye and hearts of Canadians. Talking in entrance of the capability ballroom, a tearful Gillis thanked everybody for his or her love and assist and stays optimistic a donor will probably be discovered.

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Following the emotional tackle, the Boulets would converse. Dad and mom of 21-year previous Logan, their son was one of many 16 people misplaced in a horrific crash between the Humboldt Broncos group bus and a semi-truck. On his twenty first birthday, in reminiscence of a pal who died and donated his organs, Logan made the choice to be an organ donor, a dialogue he had along with his mother and father simply weeks earlier than the crash. Because of his choice, Logan’s organs have been donated to 6 individuals who have been desperately awaiting a life-saving transplant.

The younger man’s story additionally captured the hearts of a nation. Moreover, it ignited a nationwide motion. Known as the Logan impact, greater than 100,000 Canadians instantly signed as much as grow to be organ donors after studying of Logan’s story. Extra proceed to enroll, stated Toby, as he and his spouse addressed supporters.

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“We proceed to obtain messages on a regular basis,” Toby added. “That is our son’s legacy.”

Their kidney story would spark an avalanche of donations. Following a standing ovation for the couple, attendees opened their hearts and wallets dishing out greater than $300,000 for main kidney analysis and packages and companies supporting kidney sufferers. Main the cost with a $100,000 present was Ron Walker, a devoted volunteer of 30 years with the inspiration.

Final yr B.C. Transplant carried out 502 transplants within the province, nearly all of them being kidney transplants. The demand for organs far outweighs the availability, with extra ready, says Pia Schindler, government director, Kidney Basis of Canada, B.C. & Yukon department. We’re so grateful to everybody for the beneficiant assist tonight. Collectively, we’re making an influence on the lives of kidney sufferers, she provides.

IN COACHES CORNER: Gala chair Dr. Adeera Levin welcomed peewee hockey coach Stephen Gillis to the Kidney Gala. Diagnosed with a rare kidney disease just over a year ago, Gillis’ team rallied to find a donor for their beloved coach.
IN COACHES CORNER: Gala chair Dr. Adeera Levin welcomed peewee hockey coach Stephen Gillis to the Kidney Gala. Identified with a uncommon kidney illness simply over a yr in the past, Gillis’ group rallied to discover a donor for his or her beloved coach. Picture by Fred Lee /PNG
Escorted by his daughter Margo, longtime Kidney foundation volunteer Ron Walker sparked the night of giving with a $100,000 pledge.
Escorted by his daughter Margo, longtime Kidney basis volunteer Ron Walker sparked the evening of giving with a $100,000 pledge. Picture by Fred Lee /PNG
Kidney Foundation director of development Ramya Hosak welcomed Elaine Andrews and her daughter Tara Torrell, a double organ recipient. Torrell received her first kidney from her mom and later from her cousin.
Kidney Basis director of growth Ramya Hosak welcomed Elaine Andrews and her daughter Tara Torrell, a double organ recipient. Torrell acquired her first kidney from her mother and later from her cousin. Picture by Fred Lee /PNG
LOGAN EFFECT: Pia Schindler, executive director, Kidney Foundation of Canada, B.C. and Yukon branch, and Toby and Bernadine Boulet help raise awareness of organ donation at the firm’s flagship fundraiser.
LOGAN EFFECT: Pia Schindler, government director, Kidney Basis of Canada, B.C. and Yukon department, and Toby and Bernadine Boulet assist increase consciousness of organ donation on the agency’s flagship fundraiser. Picture by Fred Lee /PNG
Kayla Wallace and Canadian rapper Maestro Fresh Wes performed at the Kidney Gala held at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver.
Kayla Wallace and Canadian rapper Maestro Recent Wes carried out on the Kidney Gala held on the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver. Picture by Fred Lee /PNG

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