Hundreds of RVH donors gathered in support of advanced, life-saving care, close to home at an October 26 black-tie event that raised a record $700,000.
“It’s rare to find a person in our region who has not personally benefitted from having RVH right here in our backyard,” said Mary-Anne Frith, Chair of RVH’s Keep Life Wild Campaign and Vice-Chair of RVH Foundation’s Board of Directors. “When we’re sick, RVH is there for us – making our lives better with the care we need, close to home. Call of the Wild Gala was about making sure RVH has everything they need to keep providing world-class care when it’s needed most.”
All funds raised will help RVH build a regional health system, with expanded specialized regional programs in cancer, cardiac, trauma, kidney, and mental health.
“Supporting RVH is deeply personal to us,” Jennifer and Jason O’Neill, Call of the Wild Gala Chairs told the crowd of more than 240 philanthropists, community leaders, and dignitaries. “Twenty-one years ago, our twins were treated in a Toronto NICU. Back then, RVH wasn’t equipped to handle this type of complex care but because of donor support, families in our region no longer have to travel long distances to access specialized care.”
The evening was hosted by Mandy Rennehan – HGTV television personality, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker – who knows first-hand how disruptive it is to travel long distances for care. Her hometown of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia is hours away from the nearest health centre which separates families from their support systems while they receive care.
Gail Hunt, RVH’s President and CEO, spoke to guests about how events like Call of the Wild support RVH’s vision for the future of care. “We are building a healthcare system that is as cutting-edge as anywhere else in the province. We’ll expand our regional programs at a scale that meets the growing needs of our communities, we’ll lead the way with research done at the frontlines of care, and we’ll become a full-scale teaching hospital to attract the best and brightest medical minds.”
Emil and Joseph Kamel, owners of PureHealth Pharmacy and Call of the Wild Presenting Sponsors, spoke about how important it is for their organization and others like it, to invest in RVH.
“We’ve enjoyed a long relationship with RVH – both as event sponsors and supporters of the health centre. And over the years, we’ve witnessed the power of philanthropy and its ability to change the course of our patient’s live for the better. As pharmacists and fellow caregivers, we enthusiastically support RVH’s promise to provide advanced, world-class care, close to home.”
The impact of funds raised on the people who rely on RVH for care was felt throughout the evening. In attendance were several grateful patients who courageously shared their RVH care stories with the evening’s guests. Al Gilchrist, who leads a group of volunteers in support of RVH’s expansion plans, shared how RVH’s Mental Health Program saved his life: “To be treated with kindness and respect, that’s the opposite of depression. I have friends who have been treated at RVH for heart attacks, cancer, stroke. People don’t talk about mental health, but make no mistake, what this hospital did for me was lifesaving.”
For more information on how events like Call of the Wild Gala help RVH grow, visit KeepLifeWild.ca.
