SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2011

History

Visions is the premiere event benefiting the Victoria Hospitals Foundation. This black-tie gala, held annually at The Fairmont Empress, includes a sumptuous sit-down dinner, live entertainment, dancing, a bear raffle, and both silent and live auctions. Thank you to all our sponsors, volunteers, and supporters over the past 21 years!

The first Visions gala was held in 1991. For the first eight years, it exclusively supported pediatrics. That changed in 1999, and we now select a specific area of care within either the Royal Jubilee or Victoria General Hospital each year. Here’s a look back at Visions over the last decade:

1998 – 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 for Victoria General’s Special Care Nursery.

1999 – November 6 marked the first Visions that supported an area of care other than pediatrics. Leslee Farrell again chaired the event, Eric Charman served as auctioneer, and Deedrie Ballard as auction chair. Our guests helped us raise $118,000 towards a cardiac ultrasound machine for Royal Jubilee.

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

2001 – On October 27, with Bonnie Campbell as event chair, Deedrie Ballard returning as auction chair, and Rodd McCormick as auctioneer, Visions guests helped raise more than $160,000. The funds supported the purchase of a bone densitometer 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.

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 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. Starr McMichael served as event chair and Jed Grieve as auction chair. Hugh Hildesley of Sotheby’s North America presided over the auction and helped us raise $212,000 for an operating microscope for neurosurgery.

2005 – On November 19, guests at our sold-out event tipped their hats to volunteer chair Kelly Patterson, who retired after having served Visions from the beginning. Starr McMichael returned as event chair, Jed Grieve served as auction chair, and Hugh Hildesley of Sotheby’s North America was our auctioneer. The auction raised a record high, contributing $240,000 towards a 64-slice CT scanner for the Medical Imaging Department at Royal Jubilee.

2006 – On November 17, we paid special tribute to CH Vancouver Island 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 and camera for the Ophthalmology Department at Royal Jubilee. Event chair Starr McMichael, auction chair Deanna Young, and auctioneer Hugh Hildesley of Sotheby’s North America helped create an outstanding evening for our guests.

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

2009 – With Walt Nicholson as event chair, Deanna Young as auction chair, and Wild Bill Henke returning as auctioneer, Leslee Farrell was honoured as the longest serving volunteer of the Victoria Hospitals Foundation, having supported us in various capacities since 1993. The event raised over $372,000 in support of the Intensive Care Units at Royal Jubilee and Victoria General.

2010 – The 20th Anniversary Visions event was a tremendous success. The evening raised our highest total ever—over $441,000—to purchase Smart Beds for the new Patient Care Centre at Royal Jubilee. Dr. “Sam” Williams served as event chair, marking the first time a member of the medical profession had led the Steering Committee. Once again, Deanna Young served as auction chair, and was honoured for five years of service in this role. Auctioneer Greg Rollo brought new excitement to the live bidding.