Starlight Gala raises $1.3 million for Richmond Hospital
Richmond Hospital Foundation’s 17th Starlight Gala, held last Saturday night, broke a new fundraising record with more than $1.3 million in net proceeds to improve local health care in Richmond.
“Ensuring high quality local health care is a priority that unites our diverse, caring and compassionate community of donors,” said Natalie Meixner, president & CEO, Richmond Hospital Foundation. “Whether we have lived here for generations or are relative newcomers to the region, we all want to have the very best health care close to home for ourselves and our loved ones.”
Long-time Richmond residents honoured
As part of the evening’s program, longtime Richmond residents Dr. Tony and Mrs. Nancy Yurkovich received Richmond Hospital Foundation’s Leadership
Longtime Richmond residents, Dr. Tony and Mrs. Nancy Yurkovich, (pictured with their family and Foundation president & CEO Natalie Meixner) received Richmond Hospital Foundation’s Leadership Award for their philanthropic leadership for being life-long champions of care and compassion for others.
Award, one the Foundation’s highest honours, for their philanthropic leadership and being life-long champions of care and compassion for others.
Over the years, Tony, a retired Richmond-based family physician, and Nancy, working as a team, have been truly passionate supporters and advocates of local health care in Richmond, inspiring others to help improve care in many areas including mental health, home care and end of life care.
Leadership Challenge surpasses expectations
As part of the fundraising for the evening, the “Leadership Challenge” surpassed all expectations.
The family of Megan Martin, Yuan Sheng Zhang and Bo Hong Zhang donated $500,000 to provide the leadership and inspiration for other donors in the room, who responded generously to help purchase brand new medical imaging equipment that includes a new surgical imaging table for urology, a new portable digital x-ray machine and new software upgrades for cardiac echo ultrasound and portable ultrasound units.
“I would like to thank the many donors, supporters and volunteers on the evening whose generous efforts will benefit patients and their families to help provide expert care right here in Richmond,” said Rosy Shang, Richmond Hospital Foundation’s Starlight Gala Chair.
A sold-out crowd
The Starlight Gala’s sold-out crowd of 475 guests were treated to an outstanding performance by world-renowned jazz musician Chris Botti who charmed and delighted a spellbound audience.
Prior to the Starlight Gala, on Friday, October 16, Chris Botti toured Richmond Hospital’s Emergency and Medical Imaging departments to see first-hand some of the areas directly impacted by donations.
For nearly 30 years, Richmond Hospital Foundation has raised over $60 million to help purchase vital medical equipment, improve patient care services and upgrade facilities at Richmond Hospital.