Province of BC supports families with children undergoing life-saving organ transplants

April 5, 2017, Victoria, BC – The David Foster Foundation has received $250,000 in one-time funding from the BC Ministry of Health to assist with the non-medical expenses of families with children undergoing life-saving pediatric organ transplants.

The funding will be used to support children and families throughout British Columbia that are struggling to stay together, pay their bills, and manage their households while their child is fighting for their life.

“I am truly honoured to receive this funding from the Province, which will help us to work with families from across the province as they manage their child’s transplant process,” says David Foster, Chairman of the David Foster Foundation. “This support from Premier Clark and the BC government will help us continue supporting families, as we have for the past 30 years.”

While 90 per cent of Canadians support organ donation, fewer than 25 per cent are registered. This disparity results in potentially long wait times for those in need of a transplant, and extended periods where many families have to respond to increased financial pressures.

2017 marks the 30th anniversary for the David Foster Foundation. Since its inception, the Foundation has helped more than 1,000 families through their organ transplant journey. With eight pediatric transplant hospitals across Canada, many families must travel for extended periods of time away from their homes, adding to their ongoing personal costs. The foundation supports non-medical expenses that range from gas and groceries to rent, mortgages, and air travel.

“We are grateful for the recognition and support of our work with families, both in British Columbia and across Canada,” says Michael Ravenhill, CEO of the David Foster Foundation. “Since the David Foster Foundation was created, we have worked to positively change the lives of multiple families from all areas of British Columbia.”

This fall, the David Foster Foundation will be celebrating three decades as an organization with a fundraising gala and concert in Vancouver.

For more information, visit www.davidfosterfoundation.com.

About the David Foster Foundation

David Foster is a proud Canadian, Recipient of the Order of Canada, Officer of the Order of Canada, 50-time nominee and 16-time Grammy Award winner (including three for Producer of the Year), three time Oscar nominee, Golden Globe winner, seven time Juno Award winner, Emmy award winner and has the distinguished honour to have his star on both the Canadian and Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is the man behind the biggest hits, with more than half a billion records sold. In 2015, the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria recognized Foster as their Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year.

Foster launched the David Foster Foundation in his hometown of Victoria in 1986. Across Canada, the David Foster Foundation financially supports families for all non-medical expenses while their children are undergoing lifesaving organ transplants. Thanks to its annual fundraising efforts and the generous support of national partners like TELUS, WestJet, AMJ Campbell, Aird &; Berlis LLP, Schnitzer, and Hope Air families receive support for expenses incurred when travelling away from their homes to be with their child during transplant.

In 2014, the Slaight Family Foundation, Newton Glassman Foundation in partnership with Catalyst Capital Group Inc., Jim & Sandi Treliving, and Tan Sri Dr. Francis Yeoh joined TELUS as the Foundation’s $1 million Life Legacy members.

The Foundation also promotes organ donor awareness and registration in both Canada and the United States. For more information, visit www.davidfosterfoundation.com.