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$500K raised to help buy Burnaby Hospital a CT scanner

A series of surprise gifts during a “Fund-a-Cause” charity round helped push the total raised last Friday night for the Burnaby Hospital Foundation to $500,000.
hospital funderaiser
TV personality Todd Talbot (left) and Jeff Clark, president of the Burnaby Firefighters Association.

A series of surprise gifts during a “Fund-a-Cause” charity round helped push the total raised last Friday night for the Burnaby Hospital Foundation to $500,000.

The foundation hosted the Treasures of India gala and the segment began with a combined $60,000 lead gift from a cohort of Burnaby Hospital physicians. That number was then matched by a succession of private donations, as well as $25,000 from the Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society. “Moved by the generosity,” said a foundation news release, local resident William McCarthy stepped forward with an additional $100,000 donation.

The funds raised will be used toward a new $1.1 million CT scanner for Burnaby Hospital, which is currently operating with just one aging unit.

Recently, the current scanner was down for unscheduled maintenance for an entire weekend, causing patients to be diverted to a nearby hospital. The incident was noted at the gala by head of emergency, Dr. Paul Johar.

“It was the third time the scanner has been down in the past year for unscheduled maintenance,” said Johar. “I’m going to be very blunt. We need to have the equipment necessary to serve our patients in a timely fashion – in all scenarios and circumstances. Right now, Burnaby Hospital does not.”

Thanks to the donors on Friday, the hospital soon will.

The sold-out gala, presented by the Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society, was hosted again by Love it or List it Vancouver host - and Burnaby boy - Todd Talbot. It featured an Indian-inspired theme including dance performances, an Indian-fusion menu, and remarks from new Mayor Mike Hurley.

As a final cap to the night’s festivities, the evening culminated with yet another unexpected surprise - a further $250,000 donation from the Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society in support of the foundation’s long-running campaign to support a Mental Health and Substance Use Zone at the hospital. The contribution matches another $250,000 commitment made by the firefighters last February.

The event also included the foundation’s annual award recipients in four categories:

  • Keith and Betty Beedie Leadership in Philanthropy Award recipient: Chinese Ambassador Society.
  • Corporate Citizenship Award recipient: Parkland Refining (B.C.) Ltd.
  • Dr. Kenneth Hill Spirit of Philanthropy Award recipient: Dr. Timothy Kostamo.
  • Physician of the Year Award recipient: Dr. Susan Kwan.