Abbotsford, B.C. (March 11, 2025): The 11th annual Gift of Love Gala presented by MNP welcomed over 250 guests from across the Fraser Valley at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Centre on Saturday, March 8. The annual event raised $460,000 to support the specialized program at Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, the only pediatric palliative care provider for over 920 children and families in British Columbia and the Yukon.
The memorable evening was hosted by Every Conversation Counts author, Riaz Meghji, and featured exciting live and silent auctions led by auctioneer Crystal Campbell, incredible local youth entertainers from the MEI Drumline and Langley Ukulele Ensemble, and dancing with DJ Marvel.
From left to right: Riaz Meghji and Crystal Campbell; MEI Drumline, Langley Ukuele; DJ Marvel
"Thank you to those who joined us tonight to help ensure the finite days Canuck Place families have with their child are filled with infinite love,” said Chief Executive Officer, Denise Praill. “We are deeply grateful to the Gift of Love Gala Co-Chairs, Aprille Ferrario, Denise de Jonge, and Suzanne Adams, along with the outstanding volunteer Gift of Love Committee. Your creativity and passion make this evening unforgettable and profoundly impactful year after year. The evening was also made possible thanks to incredible Canuck Place volunteers who continue to support the gala each year. We would also like to thank Canuck Place parents Hope and Ben Cholette, for sharing their cherished memories and story of their son Jack with us. We all have finite days. And whether our time is a little longer—or all too brief—what matters most is making memories we can carry for a lifetime."
From left to right: Canuck Place CEO, Denise Praill; Debbie and Lee Bass of MNP; Gift of Love Gala Committee; Gift of Love Gala Committee Co-Chairs, Denise de Jonge, Aprille Ferrario, and Suzanne Adams; Canuck Place Nurse Pracitioner, Rachel Neufeld and Canuck Place Parents, Ben and Hope Cholette
Canuck Place parents Hope and Ben shared the story of their son, Jack, and their family’s care experience at Canuck Place. Their in-hospice stays at Canuck Place allowed Hope and Ben to focus on spending time together as a family and creating precious memories, while Canuck Place clinicians also cared for Jack’s complex medical needs. Canuck Place helped the Cholette family follow Jack’s path and today, they continue to share his legacy of love and creativity.
Canuck Place allows families moments of normalcy in a world of chaos and uncertainty. When everything becomes medicalized, sometimes healthcare professionals only see the condition and forget to see the child. Canuck Place cares for the child first and then the condition."
Hope Cholette, Canuck Place Mom
Canuck Place Parents, Ben and Hope Cholette
Canuck Place Family, The Cholettes
Attendees bid on exclusive auction items and supported Canuck Place medical respite care through Fund-A-Need. Guests also participated in a candle lighting ceremony in honour of Jack and the children who have been cared for at Canuck Place over the past 30 years.
From left to right: Guests bidding during the live auction and Fund-A-Need; participating in the evening; Lanka Jewels
The funds raised at the Gift of Love Gala will support the growing need for essential pediatric palliative care provided at Canuck Place. On average a child is on program for six years and their family remains in bereavement care for three years. Last year alone, Canuck Place had a 23% increase in family members receiving overnight respite care in hospices, and a 61% increase in children and families on program over the last decade. Through the generosity of the community, Canuck Place can continue to provide quality, interdisciplinary care to children with life-threatening illnesses and the families who love them. Canuck Place continues to raise 60% of its operating funds through community donors and corporate supporters including MNP, Graestone Ready Mix, Ledcor, PFG Glass, and Columbia Cabinets. Together, they help families make lasting memories and give short lives the gift of great days.
High-res images available upon request, 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, Andi Manuel, Chrissy Nicholson, Christina Esposito, Emma Rose, Freda Nielsen, Jessica Summers, Krystal Loewen, Leisha Wiens, Miranda Hardy, Sarah Tremblay, and Tanya Georget
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About Canuck Place Children’s Hospice: Canuck Place Children’s Hospice is BC and the Yukon’s pediatric palliative care provider. Over 920 children living with life-threatening illnesses and families from five provincial health regions receive Canuck Place inpatient and community-based care (in home/in hospital). Canuck Place operates 10 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 family partners, and over 330 volunteers, we care for children with short lives and the families who love them. canuckplace.org
