Victoria just proved once again that this city knows how to show up for its hospitals.
The Victoria Hospitals Foundation made history at this year’s Visions Gala, pulling in more than $3.65 million to support life-changing surgical and cancer care at Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals.
The money will help bring in two new surgical robots and dozens of oncology tools usually only found at the largest medical centres in the country.
The black-tie fundraiser packed the Fairmont Empress with more than 640 guests, and it wasn’t the guests or big cheques that stole the show.
According to event organizers, the main spotlight of the night was what was sitting right in the middle of the room. Guests were invited to check out two high-tech robotic surgical suites up close, getting a rare look at the equipment.
In a few months, those very same tool will be helping surgeons perform complex procedures right here on Vancouver Island.
The money contributes to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation’s $21-million campaign, ‘It’s Time for Surgical Evolution,’ which is focused on expanding cancer, neurosurgery, and pediatric care.
The money will help bring a second da Vinci robot for more cancer and pediatric surgeries, Vancouver Island’s first brain-surgery robot, and dozens of new tools that put our hospitals on par with Canada’s top centres.
One of the biggest moments of the night came when philanthropist Craig Mearns announced a $1-million match donation during the pledge drive, sparking a wave of rapid donations around the room.
The momentum continued when Andrew Sheret Limited stepped up with a $500,000 contribution dedicated specifically to women’s health.
The night wasn’t just about technology, though.
Two Vancouver Islanders shared personal stories, not as donors, but as patients whose lives were changed by the care they received at local hospitals.
Prostate cancer patient Gerald Kersten described how robotic surgery at RJH gave him “a second chance at life” when traditional surgery came with too many risks. He paid tribute to the surgeon who helped save his life, Dr. Michael Metcalfe.
Local nurse Davita Miles spoke about navigating her breast cancer diagnosis while working alongside the same colleagues who would later become her care team.
She turned to sculpting clay figures of women’s bodies during treatment and now creates them for other patients, offering support in her own unique way.
“Victoria continues to punch above its weight,” said Avery Brohman, CEO of the Victoria Hospitals Foundation. “Innovation isn’t happening this quickly anywhere else without philanthropy at the heart of it.”
The event was put together by a volunteer team led by Charlotte Salomon, with help from more than 100 people.
She said the goal isn’t just buying equipment, it’s building the future of health care on Vancouver Island.
Anyone interested in supporting the Surgical Evolution campaign can donate online, or by contacting the Foundation at (250) 519-1750.
