Nick Reeds: Anonymous Guest Gives $1 Million to University Hospital Foundation Celebration

tomtidgewellNovember 27, 2022

“This will be very helpful as we work toward our ultimate funding goal of $2.7 million for our new neurorehabilitation center.”

Article author:

Nick Lees • edmonton journal

date of issue:

November 27, 2022 • 38 minutes ago • Read in 3 minutes

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Traditional hoop dancer James Jones, known by the stage name “Notorious Cree,” received a warm applause at last week’s Festival of Trees fundraiser at the Edmonton Convention Center. He has performed all over the world and is ranked among the top 5 hoop dancers in the world. Courtesy of Amanda Gallant/Shane Geary.

The University Hospital Foundation’s Festival of Trees Gala and Auction, suspended for three years by the COVID-19 pandemic, was deemed an unqualified success late last week when more than 700 black-tie guests attended the gala. it was done.

The crowd at the Edmonton Convention Center was thrilled when news arrived that a very generous donor (who wished to remain anonymous) had donated the equivalent of $1 million that night.

Jodi Abbott, president and CEO of the University Foundation, said:

Speaking after the event, Abbott said: It was great for everyone to see everyone wearing them in such an incredible setting.

“And this is just a continuation of our larger plans to do Let It Shine throughout the year through a larger series of Festival of Trees events. We are thrilled to welcome the fans of

Guest found himself rubbing shoulders with a Lieutenant from Alberta. Salma Lakhani and her husband Dr. Zaheer Lakhani. His MLA, David Shepherd, at Edmonton City Center, representing NDP leader Rachael Notley. Edmonton Mayor Amaljeet Sohi and his wife Saabjeet. Mayor Rod Frank of Sherwood Park. Chief Vernon Saddleback of the Samson Cree Nation in Muskwasis, Alberta.

Guests were amazed when the doors opened and found themselves in a breathtaking area decorated to create the icy beauty of the Northern Lights. Fantastic trees, famous for festivals, glitter around every corner of the room.

Another surprise was that guests participated in an unprecedented seating plan featuring four separate stages, providing everyone with seats closer to the performance.

The Gala was hosted by Edmonton native Ashley Callingbull. Known for being the first Indigenous and Canadian to win the Mrs. Her Universe competition in 2015, Ashley Callingbull was most recently the first to be featured in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in May of this year. Known as an indigenous woman.

Edmonton resident Ashley Callingbull hosted the University Hospital Foundation's Festival of Trees fundraiser last week. She is best known for being the first Indigenous woman and Canadian to win the Mrs. Her Universe competition in 2015. Courtesy of Amanda Gallant/Shane Geary. — Edmonton resident Ashley Callingbull hosted the University Hospital Foundation’s Festival of Trees fundraiser last week. She is best known for being the first Indigenous woman and Canadian to win the Mrs. Her Universe competition in 2015. Courtesy of Amanda Gallant/Shane Geary.

Among other notable performers included traditional hoop dancer James Jones, better known by the stage name “The Notorious Cree”. On TikTok he has over 230,000 fans, Edmonton-based pop and his R&B vocalist Tea G, 20. Sangea is a colorful and diverse West African performance group made up of several African countries, as well as his eight members from Mexico and Canada.

The artists were also hidden across the audience like a flash mob, disguised as servers until the moment they joined the song. They call themselves Jivin Bells, his three-part close-harmony swing vocal group consisting of Edmonton-based singers Emily Guthrie, Kate Blechinger, and Mallory Chipman.

Enjoyed a sumptuous meal and a live, quiet auction, generously courtesy of Okanagan Winery owner Dennis O’Rourke. Abbott rejoices.

“We had an amazing live auction from Dennis of O’Rourke’s Peak Cellars in the Okanagan,” said U of A Hospital’s foundation president.

“It was a great log cabin weekend package. Lyndon and Joette Decore purchased some great items. We were so happy Dennis gave Nora and Paul Verhesen a second package. Dennis Thank you for your generosity and to our donors for purchasing this live auction item.”

Another warmly welcomed guest was Dr. Chester Ho, Physiotherapist and Interim Edmonton Zone Clinical Director of Neuroscience. He came with Bill Stevenson, a patient who regained his ability to walk after having his spine shattered in a plane crash.

“We think about how to save lives, which is very important, but how can we restore people’s quality of life after saving lives?” said Dr. Ho. “That’s rehab.”

During the evening’s program, Gala supporters addressed the challenge of establishing a Neurological Rehabilitation Innovation Center at the U of A Hospital.

“The equipment needed to perform critical assessments of patients before starting rehabilitation is not readily available,” it read. “And it does not support the level of innovation and progress that could bring this program to the global stage of neurorehabilitation patient care, and with far broader implications, does research in acute care settings.” Is not.

“The addition of a state-of-the-art Neuro-Rehabilitation Innovation Center to UAH will provide patients with potentially debilitating neurological conditions timely access to intensive rehabilitative treatment and the possibility of full recovery. can enhance sexuality.