5th Annual Gift Of Love Gala Raises A Record Total, Over $550,000 Funding Care For Canuck Place Children’s Hospice

500 guests gathered at Abbotsford Centre in Abbotsford on Saturday, February 23^rd to support Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, BC’s pediatric palliative care provider, at the 5^th annual Gift of Love Gala presented by MNP.

Hosted by Breakfast Television’s Riaz Meghji, Canuck Place supporters including guests, supporters, sponsors, volunteers, board members, and staff came together in a sold-out room and raised over $550,000, a new record total for the event,supporting the complex care of BC’s children with life-threatening illnesses and the families who love them in the Fraser Valley and across

Co-chairs Jennefer Vanderpol, Lisa Fershau, and Marcie Cyr led a passionate and dedicated volunteer gala committee who were pivotal to the success of the event.

Canuck Place parents, Melissa and Allan McLeod, whose son Oliver passed away on the Canuck Place program in 2017, spoke eloquently to a captivated audience, of the special care they receive at Canuck Place.

“Nothing rocks you to your core, like the loss of a child,” said Melissa. “In those darkest hours, when no one knows what to do, or what to say, when all hope seems lost, there are few bright lights that shine through the darkness. Canuck Place is one of those lights.”

Guests were entertained with a stunning performance by Goh Ballet of “L’Amore”, an elegant dance created specially for Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, along with Jennifer Hayes and the Abbotsford Youth Orchestra, before ending the night on the dance floor thanks to the music of DJ Marvel.

The Gift of Love Gala, in partnership with the Fraser Valley community, has raised over $1.7 million for Canuck Place children and families in the past 5 years. All funds raised contribute to the delivery and expansion of Canuck Place care in BC.

“Canuck Place is expanding its inpatient services at Dave Lede House in 2019, so having this community support makes an incredible impact,” said Canuck Place CEO Margaret McNeil. “The funds raised at this event ensure we can continue to grow and provide complex clinical care to children with life-threatening illnesses and help meet the increasing need around the province.”

GIFT OF LOVE GALA CO-CHAIRS: Jennefer Vanderpol, Lisa Fershau, and Marcie Cyr

GIFT OF LOVE GALA COMMITTEE: Amy Badesha, Aprille Ferrario, Chrissy Nicholson, Debbie Bass, Denise de Jonge, Freda Nielsen, Jennifer Cooper, Leisha Wiens, Miranda Hardy, Sarah Campbell, Suzanne Adams, Tricia Schmuland, Yasmin Alibhai.