Gala raises funds to provide complex care for children with life-threatening illnesses
Abbotsford, B.C. (February 19, 2026): Canuck Place Children’s Hospice is pleased to announce that the 12th annual Gift of Love Gala presented by MNP will take place on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Centre. Donors, partners, sponsors, and supporters of Canuck Place from the Fraser Valley will come together for a spectacular night to raise funds to provide essential pediatric palliative care for children and families across B.C. and the Yukon.
This year's 12th Gift of Love Gala, hosted by human connection keynote speaker and author, Riaz Meghji will feature an exceptional dinner, exciting live and silent auctions, incredible entertainment, and dancing with DJ Sherry Freeze. Gala attendees will also be introduced to Canuck Place parents Jordan and Kerena Letcher from Victoria, who will share their family’s story and care experience at Canuck Place. A candle lighting ceremony will take place in honour of Jordan and Kerena’s son, Heston, and all of the children at Canuck Place.
Guests can enter an exclusive raffle sponsored by Lanka Jewels, for a chance to win a $10,000 custom-jewellery design experience. The deadline to purchase raffle tickets is February 21 at 9:00 p.m. All raffle proceeds will benefit Canuck Place. Visit the raffle site for purchase details.
Guests and B.C. residents will also have access to bid in the silent auction sponsored by Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel. Some of the silent auction highlights include a Year of Exceptional Dining Experiences, a 3-Night Fairmont Chateau Whistler Gold Stay, a Private Suite for Stars on Ice at Rogers Arena, a 2-Night Kelowna Getaway for 2, and 2 Club Seats for Canucks vs. Lightning on March 19. All auction proceeds will benefit care at Canuck Place. Visit the auction site for more details.
Over the past 11 years, Gift of Love has raised over $4.65 million to support care at Canuck Place. All funds raised at this year’s event will support pediatric palliative care for over 946 children facing life-threatening illnesses and their families, across B.C. and the Yukon.
For more information, please visit giftoflove.ca.
EVENT: Gift of Love Gala presented by MNP
DATE: Saturday, February 21
LOCATION: Clarion Hotel & Conference Centre
TIME: 5:00 p.m.
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, Freda Nielsen, Jessica Summers, Krystal Loewen, Leisha Wiens, Miranda Hardy, Nicole Muench, Sarah Tremblay, and Tanya Georget
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About Canuck Place Children’s Hospice: 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.
