Oct. 22, 2017, Vancouver, BC, Canada – David Foster thanked gala attendees and concert ticket holders for attending the 30th Anniversary David Foster Foundation Miracle Gala & Concert and helping to raise a record-breaking $10.2 million to help Canadian families.
Since its inception, the David Foster Foundation has worked to support the non-medical expenses of close to 1,100 families across Canada during their transplant journey; the Foundation’s financial commitment to families’ averages to $10,000. Financial support of non-medical expenses ranges from mortgage, rent, and car payments to airline tickets, groceries, parking, and gas. Often, families have to travel away from home and set up temporary housing close to one of the pediatric transplant hospitals in Canada.
The evening began with the star-studded arrival of guests, VIPs, and celebrities along the purple carpet (the Foundation’s preferred colour) at Rogers Arena. The star-studded evening was seamlessly emceed by HLN’s Michaela Pereira and CTV’s Ben Mulroney. The more than 850 gala guests and 9,000 concert attendees were treated to performances by Grammy Award-winners David Foster and Steven Tyler; Jay Leno; The Tenors; Carly Rae Jepsen; Cee Lo Green; Matteo Bocelli; and Laura Bretan. Surprise guest Reba McEntire joined Foster on stage for an upbeat country jam prior to Steven Tyler who closed out the show.
Attendees and friends of the Foundation, Jim Pattison and Jim & Sandi Treliving, supported the evening’s cause by donating $1 million to the fundraising goal of the evening. Dozens of attendees showed their support during the evening’s ‘sponsor a family’ fundraising pledge drive, with many joining Oprah, Steven Tyler, and Dr. Phil by supporting ten families for one year, or a $100,000 commitment.
As part of the gala, Jim Pattison and Walter Schneider were honoured as the recipients of the David Foster Foundation Visionary Awards, which recognize individuals making extraordinary contributions to local, regional, and national humanitarian efforts. These awards are presented annually at the David Foster Foundation Miracle Gala & Concert.
About the David Foster Foundation 30th Anniversary Miracle Gala & Concert
The 30th Anniversary Miracle Gala was presented by Parq Vancouver, a new hospitality and entertainment destination in the heart of downtown Vancouver’s energetic entertainment district. Parq Vancouver is home to the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver and a first-to-market Autograph Collection Hotel, the DOUGLAS.
30th Anniversary Gala Partners:
- Presenting Partner: Parq Vancouver
- In Partnership: TELUS, Aquilini Group, and WestJet
- Luxury Sponsor: Bedat & Co.
- Red Carpet Sponsors: Boston Pizza, S.G. Cunningham Limited, Bonnie & John Buhler
- Media Partners: Canada Wide Media Ltd., Global Television, PostMedia
- Invitations & Graphic Design: PALETTERA
- Wine Sponsor: Inniskillin
- Craft Beer Sponsor: Bomber Brewing
- Liquor Sponsors: Nutrl Vodka & Tempo Gin
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, Aird & Berlis, LLP, Honda Canada Foundation, OUTFRONT Media Canada, and Schnitzer 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.
NOTE TO NEWSROOMS AND EDITORS: A compilation of highlights from the 30th Anniversary Miracle Gala & Concert may be found online: http://bit.ly/2z1KAVO
