The effort to bring robotics technology to local operating rooms was given a $2.75-million boost Saturday by donors at the 32nd annual Visions gala, hosted by the Victoria Hospitals Foundation.
Contributions included a live-auction bid of $260,000, split by the Millar and Glickman families, for a private, 14-person suite at B.C. Place for the Dec. 7 show in Taylor Swift’s Era Tour.
The suite, donated by B.C. Place for the gala, will be enjoyed by the families’ grandchildren.
The foundation is fundraising for a 10-year robotics program that will start with urology before moving on to ear-nose-and-throat, gynecology, thoracic and general surgery.
Doctors say the precision of robotic surgery allows surgeons to perform less-invasive operations that result in less bleeding and reduce the need for blood transfusions by 90 per cent.
There is also less need for pain medication and hospital stays for surgical patients are shorter, they say.
The weekend’s gala at the Fairmont Empress Hotel attracted 620 guests, including more than 100 doctors and nurses. As a result of contributions at the event, the foundation has now raised $6 million of its $17-million goal for the It’s Time for Surgical Innovation campaign.
Dr. Jeff McCracken, chief urologist at Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals, told the crowd that prostate-cancer patients will be the first to benefit from robotics technology.
“Bringing advanced technologies right to our doorstep means we are no longer limited with what we can accomplish in minimally invasive care,” McCracken said. “We will have state-of-the-art surgical tools in the hands of the incredible surgeons here giving patients the best possible chance for recovery and healing.
“The power of this technology to change lives is immeasurable.”
Royal Jubilee is due to be the second hospital in B.C. after Vancouver General Hospital with a surgical robot, making the region one of the first smaller centres in Canada with such technology.
During the gala, fourth-generation Victoria business Andrew Sheret Limited pledged $500,000 to match the gifts in the room, and donors reached that goal and beyond.
Local philanthropist Craig Mearns responded by pledging $500,000.
Donations of $100,000 were received from Charlotte Salomon and Chris Robinson, and from Carole Forster in honour of her late husband, Clint.
Significant donations were also received from the Division of General Surgery and the Division of Urology.
“I am truly humbled by the incredible generosity of our community and deeply grateful for the overwhelming support shown for our local hospitals,” said foundation chief executive Avery Brohman. “Community volunteers, philanthropists, physicians and local businesses came together as one to make bold advancements to elevate and celebrate local healthcare.”
Salomon, who chaired the steering committee for the event, said the gala is “a powerful catalyst for change in our community.”
“The generous donations made will have a direct and lasting impact on the quality of care at our local hospitals,” said Salomon, who thanked sponsors including the Fairmont Empress, Bayview Place and RBC.
The foundation partners with Island Health to gather donations for Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals and the Gorge Road Health Centre.
Donations can be made to the campaign at www.victoriahf.ca/donate/, with more information on the campaign available at www.victoriahf.ca/its-time/.
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