Funds raised will support the future of research and innovation in a state-of-the-art facility connected to the new St. Paul’s Hospital on the Jim Pattison Medical Campus
VANCOUVER, BC, February 26, 2024 – The 17th annual Scotiabank Feast of Fortune welcomed 420 prominent guests from the Greater Vancouver philanthropic community. Hosted by St. Paul’s Foundation, the event raised $5.52 million, with proceeds supporting the Clinical Support and Research Centre (CSRC) at the new St. Paul’s Hospital on the Jim Pattison Medical Campus.
“Donors at the 2024 Scotiabank Feast of Fortune are making an incredible impact, playing a vital role in advancing medical research,” said Dick Vollet, President and CEO, St. Paul’s Foundation. “Transformative gifts – $2.5 million from the Djavad Mowafaghian Foundation and $2 million from the Chan Better World Foundation – are enabling us to take a big step forward towards redefining the future of health care for British Columbians.”
Attached to the new St. Paul’s Hospital by a sky bridge, the CSRC – the first fully integrated advanced clinical research facility in BC – will expedite life-changing discoveries from bench to market to bedside and develop new treatments faster than ever before. Its state-of-the-art research facilities will include the capacity for phase 1-3 clinical trials, wet labs, networked biobanks, analytic data centres, and training environments.
In connecting the new St. Paul’s Hospital and the CSRC, the aim is to push the boundaries of science, innovation, and care in a learning health technology ecosystem, strengthening academic partnerships and optimizing translational medicine between researchers, medical professionals and industry experts.
“The CSRC will expedite life-changing findings, speed-up technology transfer, incubate new start-up ventures, and provide substantial training opportunities that will push the boundaries of science, innovation, and care. In doing so, it will not only elevate the landscape of scientific achievement, but also drive economic growth, not just in in BC, but across Canada,” said Dr. Darryl Knight, president, Providence Research; vice-president, research and academic affairs, Providence Health Care; and associate dean, research, faculty of medicine, University of British Columbia.
Since its beginnings in 2008, the Scotiabank Feast of Fortune gala – a philanthropic celebration of the Lunar New Year – has raised over $17.7 million to fund life-saving diagnostic tools, surgical equipment, research, and more for Providence Health Care.
Guests of the 2024 Scotiabank Feast of Fortune Gala were once again treated to culinary delights created by notable chefs thanks to the longstanding partnership with the Chinese Restaurant Awards. Returning chef William Lew, executive chef at Club Versante said, “We are privileged to give back to our community and inspire donors to support everyone who takes care of us at St. Paul’s Hospital.”
The 2024 Scotiabank Feast of Fortune is generously supported by these sponsors: Scotiabank, Concord Pacific, Oakridge Park, Qualex-Landmark, Chempaka Holdings Ltd, Low Tide, Farris LLP, Acuitas Therapeutics, BCIT, University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine, PCL Construction, JW Marriott Parq Vancouver, The Douglas Autograph Collection Hotels, CHMB AM1320, Fairchild Television and Talentvision, OMNI Television, Global BC, Fairchild Radio, Ming Pao Daily News, Sonora Resort, Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club, and Marche Mon Pitou.
About the Clinical Support and Research Centre
Providence Health Care’s future Clinical Support and Research Centre – a keystone of the Jim Pattison Medical Campus – will be located right next door to the new St. Paul’s Hospital. This world-class research and innovation hub will include state-of-the-art wet and dry labs, networked biobanks, the capacity for phase 1-3 clinical trials, and the research centres of excellence currently at St. Paul’s Hospital. The CSRC will be a place where discoveries from the lab are fast-tracked to patients’ bedside, to communities across BC, and beyond. To donate or learn more, visit helpstpauls.com/why-give/research.
About the new St. Paul’s Hospital
The new St. Paul’s Hospital is the single largest opportunity in Canada to develop a sustainable, globally competitive hospital and health care ecosystem from the ground up. With an undeveloped 18.4-acre site in downtown Vancouver, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to deliver patient-centred care in state-of-the-art facilities using the latest technology and supported by leading-edge research, medical education, and innovation. To donate or learn more, visit helpstpauls.com/newstpauls.
About St. Paul’s Foundation
St. Paul’s Foundation raises funds to support compassionate, inspired care across Providence Health Care and throughout BC. The funds we raise help put patients and residents first, through a collaborative, integrated approach that includes the best in clinical care, world-class research, and education. Every year our donors make it possible to provide innovative care to tens of thousands of people—from newborn babies and their moms to seniors living in long-term care—at 18 sites across BC, including St. Paul’s Hospital. Through fundraising and strategic partnerships, the Foundation supports Providence in building on its long history of innovation, leading research and advancements in care for the people of British Columbia and beyond. To learn more and to donate, visit: helpstpauls.com/why-give/st-pauls-foundation/.