FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

21ST ANNUAL GIFT OF TIME GALA RAISES OVER $1.37 MILLION FOR PEDIATRIC PALLIATIVE CARE AT CANUCK PLACE CHILDREN’S HOSPICE

28 October 2025

Vancouver, B.C. (October 28, 2025): The 21st annual Gift of Time Gala presented by Nicola Wealth welcomed over 300 guests to the Fairmont Pacific Rim on Saturday, October 25. The beautiful event raised over $1.37 million to support care at Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, an organization that provides pediatric palliative care to over 946 children and families in B.C. and the Yukon.

The evening began with youth Amai, šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmaɁɬ təməxʷ (Musqueam), Wilaiya Skwxwú7mesh-ulh Temíx̱w (Squamish), and Zoe səl̓ilwətaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations welcoming guests to the traditional and unceded lands of the Coast Salish peoples. This year’s Gift of Time Gala saw an exciting collaboration with artist, Rubeena Ratcliffe, which was the inspiration behind the event’s design. Human connection keynote speaker and author, Riaz Meghji, hosted the memorable event which featured entertainment from Musical Occasions and singer-songwriter Desiree Dawson. Auctioneer Fred Lee energized the room during the live auction and funding important care programs at Canuck Place.

From left to right: Amai, šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmaɁɬ təməxʷ (Musqueam), Wilaiya Skwxwú7mesh-ulh Temíx̱w (Squamish), and Zoe səl̓ilwətaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations welcoming guests to the traditional and unceded lands of the Coast Salish peoples; Local artist, Rubina Ratcliffe with her painting that inspired the evening's design; Gift of Time Host, Riaz Meghji with Canuck Place Parents Aishalyn and Sebastian Sayer-Czarkowski

We are so grateful to everyone who joined us for our 21st Annual Gift of Time Gala, presented by Nicola Wealth, and for the support of our dedicated Gala Co-Chairs Michelle Porter, Shalina Lawrence, and Victoria Emslie, who led the passionate Gift of Time Committee to create such a memorable evening.”

Canuck Place Board CEO, Denise Praill

At Canuck Place, we provide care for children with short lives and the families who love them. We all have finite days. And whether our time is a little longer—or all too short—what matters most is making memories we can carry for a lifetime. I want to thank Canuck Place parents Aishalyn and Sebastian Sayer-Czarkowski for sharing cherished memories of their children Harley and Zade. With the support of the Gift of Time donors, sponsors, and volunteers, Canuck Place can continue to offer world-leading pediatric palliative care to families across B.C. and the Yukon. The generosity shown helps us build on three decades of life-changing impact as we celebrate a truly remarkable milestone—30 years of compassionate care.”

Canuck Place Board CEO, Denise Praill

From left to right: Canuck Place CEO, Denise Praill; 2025 Gift of Time Gala Committee

Canuck Place parents, Aishalyn and Sebastian Sayer-Czarkowski, shared the story of their children Harley and Zade who both received end-of-life care at Canuck Place. Aishalyn and Sebastien were introduced to Canuck Place in 2021 when their son Zade was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at just one week old. For two weeks, baby Zade was cared for in the NICU before moving to Canuck Place to receive compassionate, end-of-life care. In the summer of 2022, one year after baby Zade died, Harley, their daughter’s cancer relapsed. The family stayed once again in the Vancouver hospice for medical respite care, allowing them the time to create memories together as a family. They went on recreation therapy outings, played music with Canuck Place’s music therapist, made crafts, and of course, spent time in the garden. Only a few short months later, in October 2022, Harley died in her sleep at home. Canuck Place arranged for nurses to visit the family at home, tending to their needs prior to Harley passing, ensuring she was comfortable.

Canuck Place allowed our minds to be muffled from the outside noise and really focus on what matters—our loved ones and making the most of their last days, hours, and minutes."

Canuck Place Parent, Aishalyn Sayer-Czarkowski

Having loved and lost Harley and Zade taught me to not take anything in life for granted and to truly appreciate what we have.”

Canuck Place Parent, Aishalyn Sayer-Czarkowski

From left to right: Sayer-Czarkowski Family; Aishalyn and Sebastian Sayer-Czarkowski with Canuck Place Physician, Dr. Marie-Claude Gregoire during the candle lighting ceremony

Attendees bid on exclusive auction items and supported Canuck Place directly through Fund-A-Need. This year’s Fund-A-Need supports care through the Community Care Program—giving families the choice for care where and when they need it. Guests supported lighting a candle in honour of Harley and Zade, and the other children who have been cared for at Canuck Place since 1995.

From left to right: Gift of Time Gala Auctioneer, Free Lee during Fund-A-Need; Guests bidding during Fund-A-Need

The funds raised from the Gift of Time Gala will support pediatric palliative care provided by Canuck Place. In the last decade, Canuck Place has seen a 56% increase in children and families on program, and last year alone there were over 4,266 community consults, which includes 24-Hour Clinical Care Line, in-hospital, in-home, and virtual care. Patients on the Canuck Place program are the most medically complex and ill children in the province and funds from the Gift of Time Gala ensure families receive the vital support they need.

Canuck Place continues to raise over 60% of operating funds through a community of donors and corporate supporters including gala sponsors Nicola Wealth, Entertainment Development Institute, Ledcor, Beedie, The Citrine Foundation of Canada, GenCap Mining Advisory, OpenRoad Group, RBC, and NexGen Energy Ltd. Together, they help give lasting memories to families and help give short lives the gift of great days.

Find high-res images of the event via Dropbox and for more information about Canuck Place visit canuckplace.org.

GIFT OF TIME GALA CO-CHAIRS: Michelle Porter, Shalina Lawrence, Victoria Emslie

GIFT OF TIME GALA COMMITTEE: Careena Sharma, Christine Hay, Cori Molloy, Jasmine Marichic, Marayna Dickinson, Nisha Grewal, Peter Wilds, Shayna Macquisten, Sophia Koumbis, Stephanie Bonn, Tita Cool

GIFT OF TIME GALA DESIGN COMMITTEE: Maryana Dickinson, Peter Wilds, Michelle Porter

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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. Learning that a child is seriously ill and may die before reaching adulthood is overwhelming for families. Canuck Place cares for over 946 children living with life-threatening illnesses and families in our hospices and through community care (in-home/in-hospital and virtual). Canuck Place operates 10 patient beds and 8 family suites through two hospices in Vancouver and Abbotsford. Services include in-hospice family medical respite, 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, the Canuck Place Research Initiative, our talented team, patient-family partners, and over 346 volunteers, we care for children with short lives and families who love them. canuckplace.org

Canuck Place Children’s Hospice acknowledges with gratitude that our work takes place on the traditional and unceded lands of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmaɁɬ təməxʷ (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh-ulh Temíx̱w (Squamish), səl̓ilwətaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, Stó:lō (Stolo) people, the Semá:th (Sumas) and Mathxwí (Matsqui) First Nations.

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