On February 24, more than 450 generous guests came together at the annual Viva Pharmaceutical Time to Shine Gala and raised over $4.3 million to support surgery at VGH and UBCH.

How will the funds support patient care?

The raised funds will go towards our Future of Surgery campaign, which will enhance resources for our physicians and nurses, resulting in better surgical care for British Columbians. The $4.3 million will support our efforts to transform both the VGH surgical suite — recently named the Phil & Jennie Gaglardi Surgical Centre — and UBC Hospital facilities, improving access to surgical care for patients. This will have a significant impact, as together, VGH and UBCH perform more than 30,000 surgeries each year and handle 60 per cent of the province’s adult trauma cases.

“I am so humbled by the generosity I witnessed last night,” says Barbara Grantham, President & CEO, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. “The funds raised will make a significant impact on patients and their families, allowing both VGH and UBC Hospital to focus on the most complex surgery cases in this province.”

Future of Surgery campaign

The Future of Surgery campaign strengthens the resources of VGH and UBCH as a single, state-of-the-art, efficient and effective surgical program. The passionate support demonstrated at the Time to Shine Gala will ensure our hospitals can provide sustainable, world-class care for British Columbians. Thanks to the that passion, we are now one big step closer to that reality.