A weekend gala proved to be the picture of success for the Victoria Hospitals Foundation.
The 25th annual Visions gala raised a record-breaking $552,000 for medical imagining at Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals.
Donors James Darke and Anna Tieman marked the event’s silver anniversary with a $25,000 contribution. Saturday’s black-tie event at the Fairmont Empress raised funds through ticket sales, live and silent auctions, a teddy bear raffle, cash donations and community sponsorships.
Visions is a major component of the Victoria Hospitals Foundation’s fall campaign, which this year aims to raise $1.5 million for two new interventional angiography systems - one each for Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals.
“Every day, my colleagues and I use this sophisticated medical imaging equipment to guide us as we perform a multitude of minimally invasive procedures on a wide variety of patients,” said Dr. Paul Sobkin, clinical section head of angiography/interventional radiology for Island Health medical imaging. “We’re so excited for this new technology and what it’s going to be able to do for the people of the Island.”
Visions is one of Victoria’s longest running gala fundraisers. Since the Victoria Hospitals Foundation’s inaugural Visions gala back in 1991, this event has helped fund hundreds of pieces of essential leading-edge medical equipment.
“It is remarkable to reflect on the positive, longstanding impact this enchanting evening has had on our community,” said Visions steering committee chair Daniela Cubelic. “Because of the thousands of guests, volunteers, donors and sponsors who have supported this gala over the past 25 years, Visions has raised more than $5.5 million for urgently needed medical equipment in our hospitals.”
You can contribute to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation campaign by calling 250-519-1750 or visit online at victoriahf.ca/visions. Every contribution made to VHF’s fall campaign, up to $750,000, will be matched by an anonymous donor.