An Evening with Diana Krall - Elton John, Elvis Costello and James Taylor
to benefit pioneering research and patient care at VGHVANCOUVER, Dec. 15 /CNW/ - B.C's own Diana Krall is returning to the
fundraising spotlight with a team of legendary performers for a cause that is
close to her heart: helping patients with multiple myeloma, leukemia and other
blood cancers. On February 16, 2009, Diana will be joined by Elton John,
Diana's husband Elvis Costello, and James Taylor for a private,
invitation-only, black tie charity benefit at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.
An Evening with Diana Krall - Elton John, Elvis Costello and James Taylor
will raise funds for VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation in support of patient care
and pioneering research at B.C's Leukemia and Bone Marrow Transplant Program.
"My family and I will always be grateful for the wonderful care our
mother Adella received from the doctors and nurses at VGH," said Diana Krall.
"Helping the team find cures for multiple myeloma and other blood cancers is
the ultimate tribute to her. We are proud to play a part in providing care,
comfort and hope to patients and their loved ones from across our province."
"Each year in B.C., there are approximately 1,000 new cases of blood
cancers such as multiple myeloma, leukemia and myelodysplasia" said Dr.
Clayton Smith, Director, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program of B.C. "Over
the years, the generosity of the Krall family, friends and donors has made a
tremendous difference to patient care and comfort and has helped ease the
burden on patients and their families seeking treatment while away from home.
They have also enabled our team to build a research program that is helping
patients right away - through clinical trials as well as 'made in B.C.' cures
for these devastating diseases."
"We are extremely honoured by the commitment the Krall family and their
many generous and talented friends have shown towards patients over the
years," said Ron Dumouchelle, President and CEO, VGH & UBC Hospital
Foundation. "Diana's six previous charity benefits have had a huge impact on
patients and families by funding groundbreaking research, purchasing new
critically needed medical equipment, and providing a welcoming and comforting
environment with the new Krall Centre at VGH, which opened earlier this year.
We are privileged to have shared this extraordinary journey with Diana and her
family and friends and are grateful that they have once again chosen to give
back to those who look to VGH for help and hope."
The Krall family's commitment to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is a
heartfelt expression of their thanks for the wonderful care Adella Krall
received through the Leukemia and Bone Marrow Transplant Program at VGH.
Adella, wife of Jim Krall and mother of Diana and Michelle, enjoyed six
additional precious years of life following her 1996 diagnosis of multiple
myeloma - an incurable form of cancer that affects the immune system. Since
Adella's passing in May 2002, the Krall family has continued to demonstrate
their commitment to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation to help others living with
multiple myeloma to have the best care possible, to celebrate Adella's vision
of helping leukemia and bone marrow transplant patients and their families and
ultimately, to contribute to finding a cure.
The six previous charity benefits have raised nearly $4 million.
Highlights from the 2006 event included stellar performances by Diana Krall,
Tony Bennett, Elton John, Elvis Costello, an appearance by United States
President William J. Clinton, and an impromptu performance by guest Sarah
McLachlan. Auction highlights included a spontaneous offer by Elton John and
partner David Furnish for two couples to each enjoy for a week their 36-acre
estate in Windsor, England, built in 1060 by William the Conqueror and used as
a hunting lodge by Henry VIII. The two week-long packages, complete with
chauffeur, a Michelin-starred chef and a performance jacket from Elton John
for each couple drew a combined total of $400,000.
The Foundation is pleased to partner with the Radcliffe Foundation as the
2009 event's Title Sponsor.
VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is a registered charity that raises funds
for the latest, most sophisticated medical equipment, world-class research and
improvements to patient care for Vancouver General Hospital, UBC Hospital, GF
Strong Rehab Centre and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute. For more
than 25 years, the Foundation and its donors have been a bridge between the
essential health care governments provide and the most advanced health care
possible.Title sponsor:
The Radcliffe Foundation
Background on blood-related cancers and
An Evening with Diana Krall - Elton John, Elvis Costello and James Taylor
- February 16, 2009About Blood Cancers
Cancers of the blood or bone marrow cells include multiple myeloma and
the various types of leukemia. Myeloma affects the blood, bones, immune system
and kidneys, and as a result, patients may suffer bone pain and fractures,
anemia, infection and bleeding, and impairment of kidney function. A disease
of adults, about 200 new cases of myeloma are diagnosed in B.C. every year.
There are various types of leukemia generally classified as acute (rapidly
growing) or chronic (slowly growing). Approximately 600 individuals in B.C.
develop leukemia each year.
Adella Krall's story
In January 1996, Adella Krall, mother of Diana and Michelle and wife of
Jim, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. An Evening with Diana Krall and
Friends began as a promise Diana made at her mother's bedside 12 years ago to
give back to the world-class team of doctors, nurses and other health care
professionals at VGH. Adella's journey ended in May 2002, but her family's
unwavering commitment to bringing hope for a brighter future for patients and
families continues.
Initiatives funded by the Krall Family:
The Krall Centre: a sanctuary for patients and families
In April 28, 2007, the L/BMT Outpatient Program's new facility on the
sixth floor of the Centennial Pavilion at VGH was officially dedicated as the
Krall Centre. Equipped to meet every medical need of patients, the centre also
addresses the social and spiritual aspects of healing. At the Krall Centre,
highly specialized medical care is offered in a welcoming space and home-like
surroundings. The subtle effects of lighting, colours, furnishings and artwork
help to infuse warmth and calm in a medical environment. This sanctuary has
all the elements necessary for healthcare professionals to deliver quality
care while giving patients and families, some of whom have traveled from
across the province to receive treatment, a comfortable space during the
various steps of their treatment and recovery.
Research at the Hematology Clinical Trials Unit
Funding from the Krall family for the new Hematology Clinical Trials Unit
at VGH to treat multiple myeloma and other diseases of the blood has enabled a
quadrupling of new drug trials. Standard treatments such as chemotherapy can
have harsh side effects. The Hematology Clinical Trials Unit offers patients
early access to brand new, less toxic treatments, often in the comfort of
their home, eliminating the need to travel to a hospital to stay for
treatment. Just one example is a trial for a potent new drug for myeloma,
which has provided 133 patients with a life-extending treatment in the last
two years.
Urgently-needed equipment
The numerous pieces of equipment purchased range from machines used for
administering and monitoring patient treatment (such as an apheresis machine,
used to separate blood components prior to transplant and ECG monitors, which
track heart function), to equipment (such as high-tech beds, stretchers,
recliners and digital scales) used to increase patient comfort and minimize
movement of patients when they are physically frail.
Help for out-of-town patients and families
The Krall family's belief in the importance of creating a reference tool
and a connecting point for people seeking information about blood diseases and
VGH's L/BMT program led to the launch of the L/BMT web site www.vch.ca/bmt
accessible to people no matter what their geographic location.
The Krall family has also helped sponsor accommodations for patients and
family members during and after treatment, as well as enabling the purchase of
grocery vouchers, gift cards and Christmas baskets for patients most in need
of financial assistance. These programs enable patients to concentrate on
recovery and not the impact their illness has on their personal finances.
Education and training for staff
The multitude of patient and staff education materials have benefited
staff, patients and families and increased knowledge among all. Staff
excellence has been further fostered through attendance at conferences and
seminars focusing on leading edge care for cancer and leukemia.
For further information: Entertainment publicity: Mima Agozzino,
Publicity, Universal Canada, Tel: (416) 718-4107, Cellular: (416) 568-9653,
Mima.Agozzino@umusic.com; Foundation information: Jon Hicke, Director,
Marketing & Communications, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, Tel: (604)
875-5196, jon.hicke@worldclasshealthcare.ca
