FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

22ND ANNUAL GIFT OF TIME GALA RAISES OVER $1.44 MILLION FOR CHILDREN’S PALLIATIVE CARE AT CANUCK PLACE CHILDREN’S HOSPICE

27 October 2026

Vancouver, B.C. (October 27, 2026): The 22nd annual Gift of Time Gala presented by Nicola Wealth welcomed over 280 guests to the Fairmont Pacific Rim on Saturday, October 24. The beautiful event raised over $1.44 million to support care at Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, an organization that provides children’s palliative care to over 1,000 children and families in B.C. and the Yukon.

This year’s Gift of Time Gala saw an exciting collaboration with artist, Zoë Pawlak, which was the inspiration behind the event’s design. The formal evening began with Logan Farrar-George from the Tsleil-Waututh Nation welcoming guests to the traditional and unceded lands of the Coast Salish peoples. Human connection keynote speaker and author, Riaz Meghji hosted the memorable event, which featured entertainment from Olin Brix and Nirvana Bandi. Auctioneer Fred Lee energized the room during the live auction and helped fund important care programs at Canuck Place.

From left to right: Logan Farrar-George from the Tsleil-Waututh Nation; Arist Zoë Pawlak with Spring Fling; MC Riaz Meghji with Canuck Place Mom Krista Gervais

We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us for our 22nd Annual Gift of Time Gala, presented by Nicola Wealth, and for the support of our dedicated Gala Co-Chairs Shalina Lawrence, Tita Cool, and Victoria Emslie, who led the passionate Gift of Time Committee to create such a memorable evening.”

Canuck Place 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 Krista and Norm Gervais for sharing cherished memories of their daughter Savanna. With the support of the Gift of Time donors, sponsors, and volunteers, Canuck Place can continue to offer world-leading children’s palliative care to families across B.C. and the Yukon. The generosity shown helps us build on over three decades of life-changing impact.”

Canuck Place CEO, Denise Praill

From left to right: Canuck Place CEO, Denise Praill; 2026 Gift of Time Gala Committee

Canuck Place parents, Krista and Norm Gervais, shared the story of their daughter Savanna who received end-of-life care at Canuck Place. Krista and Norm Gervais were first introduced to Canuck Place when their daughter Savanna’s cancer relapsed. Savanna and her family spent many months of relapse treatment without any issues, but in November of 2022, Savanna’s cancer returned with a vengeance and took over her body. Savanna and her family were transferred to the Vancouver hospice for end-of-life care and spent a week being comforted, cherished, and loved by family and friends. While staying at the Vancouver hospice, the family experienced music therapy to help them tend to their emotions, created cherished hand molds with the recreation team and created moments of connection while Savanna’s ongoing stream of loved ones visited the hospice to spend time with her. The care team even helped coordinate “Savanna’s Unicorn Birthday Party” that they treated as her celebration of life. Friends and family gathered at Van Dusen Gardens to make sure Savanna knew how loved she was, complete with princesses, magicians, face painters, and even a mermaid!

Savanna passed away on November 19, 2022, in the loving arms of her family. But her firecracker spirit lives on through her family.

Grieving Savanna has taught me to live with more purpose. We keep going. And we live for Savanna now.”

Canuck Place Mom, Krista Gervais

Having a team like the clinicians at Canuck Place was like having a friend to hold our hands through those hard days."

Canuck Place Mom, Krista Gervais

From left to right: Canuck Place Family Norm, Krista, and Savanna (in-frame) Gervais; The Gervaises and MC Riaz Meghji 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 supported the Community Care Program—giving families the choice for care where and when they need it. Guests also supported lighting a candle in honour of Savanna, 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 children’s palliative care provided by Canuck Place. In the last decade, Canuck Place has seen a 54% increase in children and families on program, and last year alone there were over 3,777 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.

From left to right: Presenting Sponsors John and Claire Nicola with Canuck Place CEO Denise Praill; Performer Nirvana Bandi; Canuck Place Parents Norm and Krista Gervais, MC Riaz Meghji, Canuck Place CEO Denise Praill, Canuck Place Medical Director Dr. Jared Rubenstein; Gift of Time Committee Co-Chairs Shalina Lawrence, Victoria Emslie, Tita Cool

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, GenCap Mining Advisory, RBC, and BP Media. Together, they 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: Shalina Lawrence, Tita Cool, and Victoria Emslie

GIFT OF TIME GALA COMMITTEE: Alexandra Moore, Aly Armstrong, Careena Sharma, Christine Hay, Cori Molloy, Esmee Feng, Jasmine Marichic, Jill Arias, Jill Spoor, Marayna Dickinson, Sara Silveira, Sophia Koumbis, Theodora Jean

GIFT OF TIME GALA DESIGN COMMITTEE: Aly Armstrong, Maryana Dickinson, Peter Wilds, Shalina Lawrence 

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About Canuck Place Children’s Hospice: Canuck Place is a centre of excellence for children’s palliative care. Children with serious illnesses and their families receive specialist-led, family-centred care in BC and the Yukon. A comprehensive program focused on improving quality of life is accessible for over 1,035 children and families addressing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. Canuck Place offers pediatric advance care planning, provincial 24-Hour Clinical Care Line, pain and symptom management, family support and respite, end-of-life, grief, loss, and bereavement care. Patient families are supported in hospitals and homes, and through two hospices located in Vancouver and Abbotsford with 10 patient beds and 8 family suites. Program services include nursing and physician care, psychosocial and spiritual care, education, music therapy, and recreation therapy. With a talented team, over 350 volunteers, the Canuck Place Research Initiative, knowledge and training programs for healthcare providers, and patient-family partners, we improve care for children with short lives and the families who love them. Canuck Place is a registered charity: #133867523 RR 0001 canuckplace.org

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