It was a whimsical night of enchantment as nearly 500 generous philanthropists, medical professionals, business, and community leaders gathered for Surrey Hospitals Foundation’s 8th annual Celebration of Care Gala on Saturday, February 22 at the Aria Convention Centre in Surrey.
The Tales in the Woods themed gala, Surrey’s largest annual fundraising event, was proudly sponsored by Berezan Group and EllisDon. The night began with two remarkable donations: $200,000 from Alice Bush and Don Murray, and $150,000 from CCI Group. Thanks to the generosity of donors, community leaders and supporters, over $1.53 million was raised to support the establishment of Surrey Memorial Hospital (SMH) as a new regional hub for robotic surgery in the Fraser Health region.
These funds will contribute to acquiring the state-of-the-art da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgical System, empowering world-class surgeons to perform advanced, minimally invasive surgeries for complex ear, nose, throat, lung, and chest procedures.
“The generosity we experienced at this year’s gala was nothing short of incredible. It truly highlights the profound impact philanthropy has in transforming health care. Together, we’ve made a bold move towards enhancing surgical care at Surrey Memorial Hospital. The funds raised have launched our $5.5 million campaign to acquire the da Vinci Xi Surgical System—cutting-edge technology that will redefine patient care in our community,” says Nicole Robson, President and CEO of Surrey Hospitals Foundation.
“As the busiest surgical site in Fraser Health, Surrey Memorial Hospital is at the forefront of innovation. With the support of our donors, we are shaping the future of health care and ensuring that world-class, minimally invasive surgery is available to everyone, right here at home through the Regional Robotic Surgery Program.”
A leap forward for surgical excellence at Surrey Memorial Hospital
Situated in Surrey, soon to be B.C.’s largest city, SMH is the busiest hospital and surgical site in Fraser Health. The new regional robotic surgical program will save close to 300 bed days annually by reducing patient recovery times for complex invasive surgeries, enabling them to be discharged sooner, and freeing up critical hospital beds for others in need. With more efficient resource use, SMH will be able to treat more patients, reduce wait times, and deliver faster, high-quality care.
An unforgettable evening of celebration and meaningful impact
Hosted by Global B.C.’s morning news anchor Sonia Sunger, Global’s senior meteorologist Mark Madryga, and renowned auctioneer Fred Lee, the fairy tale evening featured inspirational stories from surgical patients Alvin Romero and Tania DenHartog, who have been treated by SMH head and neck oncologist and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Alex Butskiy, and thoracic surgeon Dr. Ahmad Ashrafi.
Set in an enchanted fairy tale forest and illuminated by the fantastical glow of twinkling lights, guests were treated to purple elixir cocktails, a carefully curated 3-course menu to impress even the most discerning foodie, a dynamic live auction, live music by Vancouver’s iconic Dr. Strangelove, and the opportunity to try out the da Vinci robot surgical simulator which was onsite.
“Seeing our community unite to transform surgical care at Surrey Memorial Hospital has been truly inspiring,” says Jennifer Hochstein, Chair of the Gala Committee for Surrey Hospitals Foundation. “The generosity of our sponsors, gala committee, volunteers, and guests will have a lasting impact—saving lives, enhancing patient recovery, and ensuring access to world-class surgical care for generations to come. This collective commitment to advancing health care in Surrey is nothing short of extraordinary.”
Join us in shaping the future of health care
Our 8th annual Celebration of Care Gala has kickstarted our spring fundraising campaign to reach our $5.5 million goal to acquire the da Vinci Xi Surgical System. With plans to launch this technology and open a new, specially designed operating room at SMH in 2026, we are taking steps closer to transforming surgical care in B.C.’s fastest-growing city.
A heartfelt thank you to our Gala Committee, SHF Board of Directors, event emcees Sonia Sunger and Mark Madryga, auctioneer Fred Lee, Dr. Ahmad Ashrafi, Dr. Alex Butskiy, surgical patients Tania and Alvin, and all of our incredible sponsors, donors, and volunteers who made this event possible.
The generosity of the community has paved the way for advancements that will impact countless lives in this city. Thank you for helping us shape the future of health care in Surrey!
