VANCOUVER , BC -
This year’s highly anticipated Daffodil Ball 25 – The Silver Lining has raised a tremendous $1.2 million for the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS). Supporters of the cancer cause, including business leaders and philanthropists from across the Lower Mainland attended the virtual gala, which marked the 25th anniversary of this prestigious event.
Since 1997, the Daffodil Ball has raised more than $20 million for the cancer cause. This year, proceeds from the Daffodil Ball are supporting CCS’s new Centre for Cancer Prevention and Support (CCPS), a national hub of research and innovation for cancer prevention and survivorship. Located in the heart of Vancouver’s health district, the Centre will take discoveries from the lab to life faster, drive system change and help Canadians take control of cancer.
“CCS has a rich legacy of fueling discoveries that have improved how we prevent, diagnose, treat and live with and beyond cancer. But to drive real change for the nearly 1 in 2 Canadians who will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, we must accelerate progress,” says Andrea Seale, CEO, CCS. “We are grateful for the tremendous support of our generous donors at the Daffodil Ball, whose funds in support of CCPS will give Canadians improved access to new cancer prevention and support programs that improve both their physical and mental health, and address their unmet needs.”
This year’s Daffodil Ball was presented by Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. and organized by a committee of dedicated business leaders and humanitarians, led by committee co-chairs Megan Brown and Jennifer Traub. Guests joined the gala from their homes, and enjoyed a chef-created multi-course meal and wine delivered to their homes by Savoury Chef.
Guests also had the opportunity to bid in a spectacular, one-of-a-kind silent and live auction, presented by Leith Wheeler Investment Counsel, which included the longstanding Crème de la Crème Dessert auction, floral arrangement auction and new Silver Lining auction which featured real silver bars. Other memorable auction prizes were a BC travel package for two to Tofino, Victoria and Whistler, an all-inclusive fishing trip for two in Haida Gwaii with Queen Charlotte Lodge, and a stunning painting donated by Vancouver-based artist Athena Bax.
Lucara Diamond sponsored Dipping-For-Diamonds – a diamond raffle draw. This year, Lucara Diamond and HB Antwerp donated a set of 2.06 carat brilliant cut diamond earrings valued at $69,000.
Standout performances by local artists Kristin Carter, Shawn Austin and Jojo Mason were sponsored by RBC.
“Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, and the dedication of our volunteers from the Daffodil Ball committee, we can purposefully invest in world-leading cancer prevention and survivorship to save and improve the lives of people both in Canada and across the world,” adds Seale.
About the Centre for Cancer Prevention and Support
As a national hub of research and innovation, the Centre for Cancer Prevention and Support (CCPS) will bring together researchers, clinical support service providers, innovators, CCS staff, as well as people with cancer. Connecting advances in research to the programs and services that CCS and its partners provide to Canadians, CCPS will take discoveries from the lab to life faster, drive system change and help Canadians take control of cancer.
About the Canadian Cancer Society
The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) is the only national charity that supports Canadians with all cancers in communities across the country. No other organization does what we do; we are the voice for Canadians who care about cancer. We fund groundbreaking research, provide a support system for all those affected by cancer and shape health policies to prevent cancer and support those living with the disease.
For more information, please contact:
Rosie Hales
Manager, Strategic Communications
Canadian Cancer Society
rosie.hales@cancer.ca