FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

9TH ANNUAL GIFT OF LOVE GALA RAISES OVER $615,000 FOR PEDIATRIC PALLIATIVE CARE AT CANUCK PLACE CHILDREN’S HOSPICE

28 February 2023

Abbotsford, B.C (February 28, 2023): The 9th annual Gift of Love Gala presented by MNP welcomed over 300 hundred guests from across the Fraser Valley at the Abbotsford Centre on Saturday, February 25. The event raised over $615,000 to support Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, the only pediatric palliative care provider for over 830 children and families in British Columbia and the Yukon.

The memorable evening was hosted by hosted by Every Conversation Counts author, Riaz Meghji, and featured entertainment by youth performers from the MEI Screaming Eagles Marching Band, dancing with DJ Marvel, and local singer, Tyson Venegas who just received the first Platinum Ticket to Hollywood on American Idol.

_{From left to right: Gift of Love Gala host, Riaz Meghji; Gift of Love Gala room at the Abbotsford Centre}

“We are so thrilled to be back in person after three difficult years and grateful for this generous community that comes together annually to support the complex care we provide at Canuck Place,” said Chief Executive Officer, Denise Praill. “Our Gift of Love Gala co-chairs, Aprille Ferrario, Denise de Jonge, Suzanne Adams, and the exceptional volunteer gala committee contributed their creativity and passion and hosted a wonderful event. The evening was also made possible thanks to incredible Canuck Place volunteers who continue to support the gala each year.”

From left to right: Gift of Love Gala Co-Chairs, Denise de Jonge, Aprille Ferrario, Suzanne Adams, and Canuck Place CEO, Denise Praill

Canuck Place parents Erin and Federico Angel shared the story of their baby boy, Alejo, who received in-home care including end-of-life care through the Canuck Place Enhanced Community Care program. With the support of Canuck Place nurses and counsellors, the Angel family were able to make precious memories together at home, surrounded by family and loved ones.

The Canuck Place nurses, doctors, and counsellors always made us feel incredibly supported through our journey. When we made the decision to take Alejo home, they helped us create a care plan to follow if he was in distress, and we were also given a 24-Hour Clinical Care Line to call if we had any worries. All of this gave us peace of mind, especially knowing that Canuck Place nurses were only a phone call away if we needed help or answers…Alejo taught us that you can’t control the length of your life, but you can control the width and the depth of it.

Erin and Federico Angel

From left to right: Canuck Place Counsellor, Mary Coleman, Canuck Place dad, Federico Angel, Canuck Place Nurse Practitioner, Rachel Neufeld, and Canuck Place mom, Erin Angel lighting a candle for their baby, Alejo and all Canuck Place children who have passed away

From left to right: Canuck Place parents, Erin and Federico Angel with their son, Alejo in-frame

Attendees bid on exclusive auction items including a three-night Fairmont Gold Whistler getaway for two, a build your own dream vacation with Air Canada, and more. The energized room also supported Canuck Place directly through Fund-A-Need. Guests participated in a candle lighting ceremony, lighting a candle in honour of Alejo and the other children who have been cared for at Canuck Place over the past 28 years.

Auctioneer, Nathan Gelderman energizes the room for live auction and Fund-A-Need

The funds raised from Gift of Love Gala will support pediatric palliative care provided at Canuck Place. In 2022 alone, Canuck had a 33% increase in inpatient admissions and saw 3,073 outpatient community consultations by the clinical care team in-home, virtually, and in-hospital. With the money raised, Canuck Place can continue to provide quality, interdisciplinary care in the hospices, in-hospital, and in-home through the Enhanced Community Care Program. Canuck Place continues to raise 60% of its operating funds through community donors and corporate supporters including MNP, Graestone, and Ledcor. Together, they help give lasting memories to families and help give short lives the gift of great days.

Find high-res images and segment videos via Dropbox, and for more information about Canuck Place, visit canuckplace.org.

GIFT OF LOVE GALA CO-CHAIRS: Aprille Ferrario, Denise de Jonge, and Suzanne Adams

GIFT OF LOVE GALA COMMITTEE: Amy Badesha, Chrissy Nicholson, Christina Esposito, Jessica Summers, Kam Riarh, Leisha Wiens, Marcie Cyr, Miranda Hardy, Nikki Lundegren, Sarah Tremblay, and Tanya Georget

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About Canuck Place Children’s Hospice: Canuck Place Children’s Hospice is British Columbia and Yukon’s pediatric palliative care provider. Over 830 children living with life-threatening illnesses and families from five provincial health regions receive Canuck Place inpatient and community care (in home/in hospital). Canuck Place operates 13 patient beds and 8 family suites through two hospices in Vancouver and Abbotsford. Services include in-hospice medical respite and family support, pain and symptom management, provincial 24-hour clinical care line, music and recreation therapy, education and art, grief, loss, and bereavement counselling, as well as end-of-life care. With donors, research initiatives, our talented team, patient partners, and over 370 volunteers, we care for children with short lives and the families who love them. canuckplace.org

Media Contact:
Anna Stuber
anna.stuber@canuckplace.org | 604-562-0722