LANGLEY Memorial Hospital Foundation brought the glamour of a gala to over 290 participants’ living rooms on May 29 through its There’s No Place Like Home Gala, presented by Mike and Leanne Laurin.
Starting the gal with a fundraising bang, EllisDon, along with their trade partners, pledged $30,000 towards the purchase of an urgently-needed ventilator for Langley Memorial Hospital. More guest joined with donations of their own, as well as by participating in the online auction and raffle.
All told, the event raised $311,000, allowing the Foundation to fully fund the ventilator as well as purchase other important medical equipment.
The hospital is now better equipped, thanks to extraordinary gifts made at the gala, such as a $6,100 Portable Cardiac Monitor, thanks to Trudy and Russ Bruce; $5,000 each for two Vital Signs Monitors, thanks to Kim Snow and Dr. Don McDonald, and Mark and Sherry Omelaniec; a $19,600 Emergency Room cardiac monitoring commuter, thanks to Nimit and Nick Nuraney; and a $10,000 gift towards the ventilator from McDonald’s Sarocemas.
Even before the COVID-19 crisis hit, the hospital used ventilators to treat more than 1,600 respiratory patients every year. But since March 2020, the respiratory therapy team has supported more patients in respiratory distress than in any other year. In a “typical” year, most patients the hospital supports are suffering complications due to COPD, pneumonia or cardiopulmonary distress; a small portion need the support post-surgery.
“These gifts demonstrate the heart and generosity of Langley residents, businesses, sponsors and donors,” says Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation Executive Director Heather Scott. “The impact of these gala gifts will be felt by the hospital team and their patients for years to come.”
“We’re blown away by the number of guests who chose to join in the fun this year,” says gala committee member and presenting sponsor Leanne Laurin. “Through generous donations, auction bids and raffle sales, we really saw the community rally around the Foundation and Langley Memorial Hospital.”
The There’s No Place Like Home gala guests received a “gala in a box,” including a charcuterie board filled with dinner and dessert treats, drink pairing, and sponsored gifts.
A 30-minute show, featuring the talents of celebrity impersonator Tracey Bell as The Wizard of Oz’s Dorothy, brought entertainment and energy to the gala night.
New to this year’s gala, an online raffle boasted 85 prizes and guest could place their bids on over 100 silent auction items on everything from art to jewelry, sports and entertainment and home and garden products.
The hospital has a need for two more ventilators this year. There is still time to contribute to the fundraiser for new ventilators. Visit lmhfoundation.com/donate to make an online donation.
