History

Visions is the premiere gala event benefiting the Victoria Hospitals Foundation. The event is held annually at the Fairmont Empress Hotel. This black-tie evening includes an elegant sit-down dinner, entertainment, and both silent and live auctions. Thanks to all our sponsors, volunteers, and supporters over the years!

The first Visions was held in 1991. For the first eight years, this benefit was exclusively for Pediatrics, but now we select a specific area within the hospital each year. Here's a look back at Visions over the last decade. We look forward to seeing you at this year's event.

1998 - The 1998 event supported the Victoria General Hospital's Special Care Nursery. On November 7, with Leslee Farrell as event chair and Gerald Hartwig as auction chair, the evening raised almost $90,000 for a Perinatal Ultrasound unit.

1999 - For the first time, Visions' focus switched away from Pediatrics. Our live auction returned on November 6 with Eric Charman as auctioneer and Deedrie Ballard as auction chair. Leslee Farrell again chaired the event, and our guests helped us raise $118,000 towards a Cardiac Ultrasound machine for Royal Jubilee Hospital.

2000 - On November 18, Visions was a sold-out success, raising $204,000 towards a C-Arm for diagnostic care at Royal Jubilee Hospital. Bonnie Campbell served as event chair, Deedrie Ballard returned as auction chair, and Eric Charman was our auctioneer.

2001 - With Bonnie Campbell as event chair, Deedrie Ballard returning as auction chair, and Rodd McCormick as auctioneer, on October 27 our Visions guests helped raise more than $160,000. The funds supported the purchase of a Bone Densitometer, used for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.

2002 - Our poster child for the 2002 Visions was Paris Ember Dawn Pelan, granddaughter of our event chair, Deedrie Ballard. With Eric Charman returning as auctioneer, our guests helped to raise $300,000 towards new Birthing Beds and Fetal Heart Monitors for the maternity ward at Victoria General Hospital.

2003 - On December 5, Deedrie Ballard returned as chair, Eric Charman again led the live auction, and Colleen Gibson stepped in as auction chair. Visions raised $265,000 towards for Cardiac Care and a Heart Lung Bypass machine.

2004 - On November 27 we rolled out the red carpet and paid special tribute to the Empress Hotel for its long-standing support. This year Starr McMichael served as event chair and Jed Grieve as auction chair. Hugh Hildesley of Sotheby's New York presided over the auction and helped us raise $212,000 for an Operating Microscope used in neurosurgery.

2005 - Guests at our sold-out November 19 event tipped their hats to volunteer chair Kelly Patterson, who retired after having served Visions ever since it started. Starr McMicheal returned as event chair. With auction chair Jed Grieve and auctioneer Hugh Hildesley of Sotheby's North America, our auction raised a record high, contributing to the overall total $240,000 for a 64-slice CT Scanner for the Medical Imaging Department at Royal Jubilee Hospital.

2006 - Special tribute was paid to CH Vancouver Island on November 17, thanking the television station for its community support and long involvement with Visions. Deanna Young joined Jed Grieve to co-chair the auction committee, and Hugh Hildesley of Sotheby's North America once again took bids at the live auction. With Starr McMichael as event chair, the evening raised $370,000 to support Laboratory Medicine.

2007 - On November 17 Visions raised $399,000 towards a Retinal Microscope & Camera for the Ophthalmology Department at Royal Jubilee Hospital. Event chair Starr McMichael, auction chair Deanna Young, and auctioneer Hugh Hildesley of Sotheby's North America helped to create an outstanding evening for our guests.

2008 - This year's event on November 15 supported the new Emergency Department at the Victoria General Hospital. We celebrated event chair Starr McMichael for five years of outstanding service and welcomed the memorable Wild Bill Henke as auctioneer. Visions 2008 raised more than $390,000 and was considered one of the best events to date.