Miracle Gala 2026 Raises $1.43M For Surgical Oncology

May 25, 2026, Victoria, BC—In an unforgettable evening defined by philanthropy, courage and collective purpose, 250 community leaders gathered Saturday night for the fifth annual Miracle Gala, presented by The Ratcliff Group, in support of the Victoria Hospitals Foundation. Hosted at Royal Roads University and emceed by local radio host AJ Cruze, the evening raised an impressive $1.43 million, advancing a transformative new era of surgical cancer care at Royal Jubilee (RJH) and Victoria General (VGH) hospitals.

The Gala rallied support for the Foundation’s It’s Time campaign, and specifically 60 specialized surgical oncology tools identified by local surgeons as essential priorities in advancing cancer care for Islanders who rely on RJH and VGH as the Island’s surgical referral centres.

“This campaign has been shaped hand-in-hand with our remarkable local surgeons and care teams; leaders who are not only advancing the future of medicine on Vancouver Island, but influencing how care is delivered across the country,” said Avery Brohman, CEO of the Victoria Hospitals Foundation. “Saturday night was a true expression of community and philanthropy, and what community hospitals can achieve when people come together to push boundaries and believe in excellence.”

Colorectal surgeon Dr. Sepehr Khorasani delivered one of the evening’s most powerful calls to action, sharing that cancer cases in British Columbia are projected to rise by nearly 40 per cent over the next decade. He highlighted how the advanced tools funded through the Gala and the It’s Time campaign will expand surgical possibilities, improve efficiency and ultimately lead to better outcomes for patients facing increasingly complex diagnoses.

“We are building one of the leading colorectal surgery programs in the country,” Colorectal Surgeon Dr. Sepehr Khorasani said. “Our Foundation has put surgeons in the driver’s seat, empowering us to lead bold change and design a brighter path forward. When colleagues across the country ask how we, here in Victoria, have access to the best tools to treat complex and fast-growing cancers, I say: it is because of donors.”

The cause became deeply personal when patient speaker Shaveeta Jnagal took the stage.

Diagnosed with colon cancer at just 32 years old, Jnagal shared her journey through diagnosis, treatment, fertility decisions and recovery in an immersive presentation featuring powerful video moments from her experience. As she spoke to the uncertainty of facing cancer so young and the care that carried her through, all received here in Victoria’s hospitals, the room fell silent before rising together in a standing ovation.

The 2026 Miracle Gala was a powerful reflection of what defines Victoria at its best: connection, collaboration and a deep sense of collective responsibility for one another. Event highlights included:

• A transformational $500,000 matching gift from the Lai Family, shared in reflection of the importance of health, family and deep gratitude for the community that welcomed them more than 40 years ago. Guided by their family motto, Derived from Society, Giving Back to Society, their generosity set an inspiring tone for a Pledge Drive that saw every table give back.

• Themes of family echoed throughout the evening. Dr. Khorasani introduced his brother and fellow Colorectal Surgeon Dr. Sohrab Khorasani, highlighting the strength of collaboration and unity in care. Jnagal also shared the story of her sister Raveena, a nurse who would complete her shifts before staying overnight by her bedside following surgery.

• Gynecologic Oncologist Dr. Mona Mazgani recognized the impact of the 2025 Miracle Gala, sharing that 233 additional women have already received surgery following the outfitting of a second operating room dedicated to gynecologic oncology, made possible by last year’s Gala.
• A heartfelt tribute honoured the caregivers whose collaboration is driving the It’s Time campaign forward, with six surgeons and two nurses present in the room recognized to resounding acclaim. “They carry their patients, and they carry this campaign,” shared Avery Brohman, CEO of the Victoria Hospitals Foundation.

The evening concluded with the celebration of the collective effort behind the event, paying tribute to all philanthropists, guests, sponsors, auction donors, volunteers and the volunteer committee members whose leadership helped bring the evening to life.

“What we raised tonight is more than a number,” shared Miracle Gala Committee Chair Amy Ratcliff. “It is a piece of oncology equipment that catches cancer earlier, a mother receiving treatment here in Victoria, a sister—like Shaveeta—who heard the word ‘cancer,’ and then heard something just as powerful: ‘we can provide the best and latest in surgical care here in Victoria. You are in good hands.’ Because that is exactly what this community is making possible.”

Following the Gala, Phase II of the It’s Time campaign, It’s Time for Surgical Evolution, has now reached $19.5 million of its $21 million goal. Together with three robotic surgical suites and more than 100 pieces of advanced equipment, the campaign marks the most significant transformation of surgical care in the region’s history.