Guests of the Peace Arch Hospital’s fundraising gala received a galactic experience Saturday evening, and in the process raised $882,000.
Held at Centennial Arena, the annual gala, themed this year as “2019: A Space Odyssey,” serves as a fundraiser for the foundation to build five new state-of-the-art surgical suites in the hospital.
“May the fourth was a fantastic night for philanthropy,” Peace Arch Hospital Foundation’s executive director Stephanie Beck said in a news release. “With tonight’s proceeds, we have now reached nearly $8 million of our $12 million fundraising commitment to build five brand new surgical suites for our community. This gala was truly out of this world!”
Lumadrome bringing more magic #PAHGala #Maythe4th #pahfoundation #whiterock #partyforacause pic.twitter.com/HbugEeqNro
— Peace Arch Hospital Foundation (@pahfoundation) May 5, 2019
The fundraising was kicked off with the announcement of a $100,000 gift from local philanthropists Vern and Helga Höing, who have now donated a total of $2 million to the White Rock hospital.
Also announced was a $1.5 million pledge towards the new operating suites recently made by the Peace Arch Hospital Auxiliary Society.
In keeping with the theme, guests sipped cocktails in ‘Spock’s Martian-tini lounge’ and shared company with Darth Vadar, a storm trooper, and heard a space opera performance by Evgenia Languna, dressed as a character from the movie The Fifth Element.
Guests were also able to inhale pure H20 at ‘Captain Kirk’s Oxygen Bar’ and had an opportunity to meet Pepper, a robot “in our OR of the Future.”
A 15-person steering committee, led by co-chairs Joelle Paleologou and Siobhan Philips, worked for nearly a year to prepare for the event and 100 volunteers supported the event, the release states.
Event photos and the video for surgical care that premiered at the event will be posted on Facebook at www.facebook.com/peacearchfoundation
