The Victoria Hospitals Foundation (VHF) is celebrating a record-setting night of fundraising following the recent Miracle on the Mountain gala held at the Westin Bear Mountain Resort.
The gala, which wrapped on Saturday, May 25, raised a record-breaking $1 million for VHF’s “Imaging is Power” campaign, which is fundraising for a new CT scanner for Victoria General Hospital.
The hospitals foundation says the sold-out gala raised a preliminary total of $956,000, and that community members rallied through the weekend to raise another $44,000 to make it an even $1-million.
“This final total is a tribute to the incredible philanthropists in our community, and a pure reflection of the West Shore’s generous nature,” said Avery Brohman, CEO of the Victoria Hospitals Foundation in a release Tuesday.
“Seeing donors, caregivers, sponsors, and volunteer committee members united for the greater good of the community—during the gala, and immediately following it—is quite simply remarkable,” she said.
The VHF says local donor Craig Mearns played a large role in this year’s gala, promising to match all donations for the fundraiser up to $500,000.
The foundation also highlighted former Langford mayor Stew Young as being a key contributor to raising the final $44,000 that pushed the fundraiser into the million dollar mark.
“I’m honoured to support our local hospitals, and grateful to be able to amplify the impact we can all have as a community,” said Mearns on Tuesday.
“It’s so important that we all give to ensure our hospitals have the best technology and latest equipment. We are all better for it,” he added.
Where the dollars go
The VHF’s Imaging is Power campaign hopes to raise $11 million to replace three vital imaging machines in southern Vancouver Island.
Funds from the gala fundraiser will go towards replacing a CT scanner at Victoria General Hospital – which is described as the oldest CT scanner on Vancouver Island – which completes over 15,000 scans each year.
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The CT scanner supported by the event is shown. (Julia Loglisci)
The funds are also going towards replacing a 20-year-old SPECT/CT machine at Royal Jubilee Hospital, and a C-Arm device at Royal Jubilee, which supports over 2,000 cardiac interventional procedures per year.
As of Tuesday, the VHF has raised $10 million out of its $11 million goal, thanks to donations from more than 5,600 people.
More information about the Imaging is Power campaign can be found on the Victoria Hospital Foundation’s website.
Adam Chan
