VANCOUVER, March 13, 2015 /CNW/ - On Thursday, March 5th, 2015, 180 glamorous Vancouverites raised over $165,000 to support the work of The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada, at the 2nd annual WISH Gala, presented by Pacific Blue Cross. Held at Vancouver's historic Vogue Theatre, the event was sold out months in advance. Guests gathered for an incredible meal prepared on stage by Edible Canada, plus canapés from Fable, and a sweet finish by Farm 2 Fork.
"This year's event was special in so many ways. Our guests raved about the venue and the experience and everyone was truly inspired by the magic of wish granting," explained Jennifer Petersen, Director, British Columbia & Yukon Chapter, The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada. "We are so pleased with the results and how much this means for our wish families."
Hosted by wish kid Avery Carpenter (age 7), along with Sonia Beeksma (Global News) and Eric Pateman (Edible Canada), the theme of the evening was Old Hollywood Glam. When Avery was almost three-years-old, she was diagnosed with a heart condition, and underwent two open-heart surgeries. During an interview with her mom on stage, Avery best described the joy of a wish with her spontaneous outburst "I got ice cream for breakfast!"
WISH Gala event chair, and Children's Wish BC & Yukon Chapter Advisory Board Co-Chair Lana Bradshaw said, "I'm so honored to help create such a magical evening to inspire and instill hope for our wish kids. I'm so moved by getting to spend time with wish kids like Avery, our 7-year-gala co-host, whose cheerful smile and optimism exemplifies the joy a wish can bring."
In addition to celebrating the courage of children and families, Children's Wish also premiered a new video that tells Emily's story. Emily has lived with Crohn's Disease for most of her life. Her wish was to take her family on a trip to Paris where she could take in the culture and practice her French. After her wish was fulfilled, Emily began volunteering with The Children's Wish Foundation. The video was produced by Vancouver's Noravera Visuals, and can be seen online here: http://youtu.be/RZ3X9iFnrrc
About Children's Wish:
The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada is a uniquely Canadian charity that helps children, families and communities by granting the wish of children diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Children's Wish has been granting wishes since 1984 and has granted more than 22,000 wishes across Canada.
With every wish granted, children experience moments of joy that ease their pain, give respite to the child's family, and connect healthcare professionals and communities in that burning wish of hope. We truly believe Joy is a Wonder Drug.
SOURCE The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada
Image with caption: "Pacific Blue Cross CEO Jan Grude, event Co-Host Sonia Beeksma, and Jennifer Petersen, Children’s Wish BC & Yukon Chapter Director. (Photo by Jordana Meilleur) (CNW Group/The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150313_C3795_PHOTO_EN_13202.jpg
Media Contact: Andy Kallstrom, Communications Specialist/Wish Support, The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada, British Columbia & Yukon Chapter, 778-383-1413 | [email protected]
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