Fred Lee's Social Network: $3.8m raised for B.C. Children's Hospital at Crystal Ball

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CROWNING JEWEL: For 33 years, the Crystal Ball has been the preeminent charity fundraiser in the province; the fundraising gala every other charity aspires to emulate.

Created by Isabelle Diamond in 1986, the event has raised more than $38 million for B.C. Children’s Hospital. It would add another $3.8 million to its already impressive tally when 380 well-heeled guests, dressed to the nines, packed the Four Seasons Ballroom for the black-tie party’s 33rd edition, presented by Nicola Wealth.

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Bittersweet, it would also be the last Crystal Ball held at the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver as the property shutters its doors at the end of the year.

“The hotel has been an incredible partner for the past 33 years in helping transform health care for children,” said Teri Nicholas, president and CEO, B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation addressing the capacity crowd.

Led once again by three-time chair Jennifer Johnston and an incredibly influential committee, this year’s event embraced the elegance of the Venetian era, ushering guests into a spectacular ballroom and equally spectacular dining and entertainment experience.

The evening featured a sumptuous Italian menu designed by hotel executive chef Ben Kilford. Following the multi-course royal repast, attendees would once again open their hearts and even bigger wallets after hearing from this year’s patient family Collin and Jennie Forbes.

Their two young boys Brennan and Harrison were both born with a rare genetic condition that meant weekly visits to B.C. Children’s Hospital. Witnessing their kids living with debilitating symptoms daily, the family struggled for five years as they tried to cope with what ailed their kids.

The children embarked on an exhausting journey with their parents that involved countless specialists and painful tests. Doctors investigated as best they could but had no answers. But, thanks to advances in technology that allow medical experts to screen a child’s entire genetic profile all at once, doctors were able to pinpoint, isolate and address what caused the rare condition.

The family’s touching story moved everyone in the room to give. Five unique live auction lots got the fundraising party started — each lot selling well above value.

But the evening peaked during the call out for cash when three significant donations of half a million each from Mike and Lisa Hudson, Rick and Lauren Ilich, and Lisa Greczmiel had everyone on their feet, igniting a torrent of donations.

Others jumped on the philanthropy train. They included Paul and Joyce Lee, Hamid and Arya Eshghi, Arran and Ratana Stephens, Charlie and Jura Kim, Suki and Desha Sekhon, John and Diane Norton, David and Tassan Sung, Ron and Gurmeet Sengara, Stephanie Carleson and Maureen Ilich.

The $3.8 million raised would be one of the most significant results in event history. Proceeds will equip the hospital with its first suite of Next Generation Technologies, innovative tools enabling experts to peer into a child’s entire genetic makeup all at once, shining a light on the causes of unexplained conditions that have so long remained in the dark.

“The level of support we received tonight was truly inspiring and shows what we can accomplish for kids and families when we all come together,” said Johnston.

“By supporting Next Generation Technologies, we help ensure more kids can get the support and possible treatment they may need to help them cope with their condition, and in the process, give hope to more families, “said a delighted Nicholas.

“The generosity from the community is what allows us to continue to make great strides in our quest to elevate child health, and tonight, we’ve taken a huge leap forward,” she added.

Reportedly each year thousands of kids with unexplained genetic conditions visit B.C. Children’s Hospital with many experiencing debilitating symptoms that affect their daily lives, and no answers for what causes them.

UBC ALUMNI SHINE:Dominic Barton, Deborah Buszard, Doug Clements, Tara Cookson, John MacDonald, David Morley and Gwendolyn Point were recently feted by alumni UBC, the University of British Columbia’s alumni association.

The largest celebration of alumni achievement to date, 400 guests — alumni, faculty, students, friends and senior leadership — paid up to $325 a ticket to attend the annual gala. Staged at the historic Hotel Vancouver, where the first UBC degrees were conferred more than 100 years ago, CBC’s Lien Yeung emceed the Boyden-sponsored black-tie affair.

“Changing the world” may be an overused phrase sometimes but it certainly applied to this year’s recipients. Their social contributions range from influencing corporate practice at the highest levels, to advocating for evidence-based social welfare and aid programs, to increasing educational opportunities for Aboriginal students.

The accomplishments and achievements of the group have benefited people not only in British Columbia and the rest of Canada, but around the world.

The honourees represent a diversity of fields and activities, but a common thread is their influence over outcomes, said Ross Langford, board chair of alumni UBC.

Buszard’s work on UBC’s Okanagan campus has had a direct impact on how students, staff and faculty experience their community. As deputy vice-chancellor and principal, Buszard has reportedly doubled research funding, promoted a healthier working and learning environment, and established fruitful relationships with key local groups. Both UBC’s reputation and the Okanagan region have been strengthened as a result.

Point is another respected community builder focused on access to education and the development of First Nations language and culture programs. Through her exceptional record of public service — which includes roles in both the Stó:lõ Nation and the provincial government — Point has earned respect as a bridge-builder across Indigenous and settler communities.

A pioneer in the field of sports medicine, Clement taught at UBC for 20 years. A former Olympian and a co-founder of The Vancouver Sun Run, Clement continues to inspire community spirit through sport, and was an early advocate for exercise as a key to preventing heart disease.

Another pioneer in their field, MacDonald is a renowned innovator and entrepreneur who co-founded Canada’s foremost space technology company, MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates. The company’s novel use of satellites to produce high-resolution images of Earth is what made popular technology like Google Maps possible. MacDonald’s company also developed Canadarm, a remote-controlled robotic arm deployed on the Space Shuttle system.

This year’s Young Alumni Award went to Cookson, whose important research is already becoming influential. An anti-poverty activist who is laying the groundwork for more evidence-based human welfare policies. Cookson’s work helps inform the efforts of professionals such as fellow award recipient Morley, the president and CEO of Unicef Canada, a respected leader who has dedicated his 40-year career to advocating for the human rights of those in need, and to addressing humanitarian issues such as gender equality, access to education, and maternal health.

Barton was cited with the association’s final and most cherished award. An influential economic and management consultant who emphasizes the importance of socially-responsible business practices and strong leadership skills grounded in integrity, Barton received the Alumni Award of Distinction. He was a late no-show at the event due to his most recent appointment as Canada’s Ambassador to China. Barton did convey a heartfelt message of thanks via video.

“We are bombarded day in and day out with negative perspectives, but tonight we get to hold that at bay and celebrate what the best of what humanity can do and how UBC alumni are facilitating these advances,” said Langford.

As well as honouring the group of seven, the event’s silent auction netted $60,000 for UBC’s Blue and Gold Campaign, to provide more promising students access to a life-changing education. With an original fundraising goal of $100 million in three years, two years on, the campaign has hit its original target. In September, university president Santa Ono announced the extension of the campaign, doubling the target to $200 million by 2022.

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