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Fred Lee's Social Network: Paying it forward for liver, autism funding

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LIVE RIGHT GALA

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It was a record-setting night for the Live Right Gala.

The 14th edition, presented by Scotiabank, would see its largest turnout of guests help raise $890,000 for the Canadian Liver Foundation. The marquee fundraiser for the B.C. and Yukon chapter, 650 supporters showed up to help the foundation get closer to achieving its mission of a world without liver disease.

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Yours truly, along with Robin Gill, reporter and anchor for Global National, fronted the posh party at the historic Hotel Vancouver.

Chaired by Emily Lin and Dr.Francis Ho, president of the B.C. and Yukon Region of the Canadian Liver Foundation, the dinner drew business leaders, community influencers and medical researchers to the cause to help fund groundbreaking liver research. One in 10 people — almost four million Canadians — are affected by liver disease.

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“Work still needs to be done in terms of educating the public and funding research into the more than 100 known forms of liver disease,” said Ho in front of a balloon-filled room.

The message would resonate loudly with attendees, further amplified by the passionate addresses from liver transplant recipients Paul Quinn, Natalie Williams, Kathy McLaughlin and the Eastman family, whose young son Owen is living with biliary atresia and likely in need of a liver transplant.

The compelling story motivated many to give. Philanthropists Sonny and Florence Leong would lead the charge, presenting a cheque for $300,000 to fund a new screening project related to hepatitis B, a leading cause of liver cancer.

Kevin Ma of Vancouver Bullion and Currency Exchange would quickly follow with a major gift of his own.  Toddlers Julian Xiao and Jacquelyne Ho drew a chorus of oohs and aahs, after donating their birthday money to the effort.

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The memorable night also paid tribute to Dr.Stephen Chung, a leading expert in liver and pancreatic cancer surgery, liver transplantation and transplant immunology — an acknowledged leader in the battle against liver disease.

Chaired by Emily Lin and Dr. Francis Ho, the president of the B.C. and Yukon Region of the Canadian Liver Foundation, the 14th Live Right Gala raised a record $890,000 for liver research.
Chaired by Emily Lin and Dr. Francis Ho, the president of the B.C. and Yukon Region of the Canadian Liver Foundation, the 14th Live Right Gala raised a record $890,000 for liver research.
Arran and Ratana Stephens of Nature’s Path Foods were among leading philanthropists lending their support to the Canadian Liver Foundation.
Arran and Ratana Stephens of Nature’s Path Foods were among leading philanthropists lending their support to the Canadian Liver Foundation.
The youngest philanthropists of the night, Julian Xiao and Jacquelyne Ho, donated their birthday money — reportedly $2,000 — to the charitable effort.
The youngest philanthropists of the night, Julian Xiao and Jacquelyne Ho, donated their birthday money — reportedly $2,000 — to the charitable effort.
Global National’s Robin Gill, along with her sister Jessie and Monica Chui, director of regional business development for Western Canada, were all smiles following the $890,000 night for the Canadian Liver Foundation.
Global National’s Robin Gill, along with her sister Jessie and Monica Chui, director of regional business development for Western Canada, were all smiles following the $890,000 night for the Canadian Liver Foundation.
Philanthropists Sonny and Florence Leong would lead the charge, presenting a cheque for $300,000 to fund a new screening project related to hepatitis B, a leading cause of liver cancer.
Philanthropists Sonny and Florence Leong would lead the charge, presenting a cheque for $300,000 to fund a new screening project related to hepatitis B, a leading cause of liver cancer.
Liver transplant recipient Paul Quinn credits his new lease on life to surgeon Dr. Stephen Chung. Chung was honoured for his leading work in liver and pancreatic cancer surgery, liver transplantation and transplant immunology.
Liver transplant recipient Paul Quinn credits his new lease on life to surgeon Dr. Stephen Chung. Chung was honoured for his leading work in liver and pancreatic cancer surgery, liver transplantation and transplant immunology.

POWER LUNCH

More than 1,000 people filed into the Parq Vancouver ballroom for the Pacific Autism Family Network’s inaugural Autism Luncheon, reportedly making it the largest autism fundraiser in the country.

Generosity from British Columbians was in full display as community and health care leaders — along with the city’s well-heeled and most generous — came together to support the inaugural efforts led by Wendy and Lisogar Cocchia, parents of a child on the autism spectrum.

Jill Krop of Global TV served as master of ceremonies of the LAUNCH Holiday Luncheon. Led by a committee of 50 influencers, the power lunch was an absolute sellout.

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After many exchanges of pleasantries and air kisses, the crowd eventually settled down for the packed program. Three leading organizations were honoured for their tremendous work with Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN) and for B.C. families.

The Vancouver Police Department, B.C. Lions and LifeLabs were saluted, with VPD Chief Adam Palmer, Lions’ CEO Dennis Skulsky and LifeLabs’ CEO Sue Paish accepting the awards on behalf of their organizations.

Parents of individuals with autism came on stage to emotionally thank each awarded for allowing their families the opportunity to participate in society in ways they weren’t ever able to before.

Among those sharing their heartfelt stories of raising a child on the autism spectrum were Olympian Silken Laumann and her husband David Patchell-Evans. Thankful for PAFN and the many organizations that have come forward to create more community inclusion initiatives for those with autism, the couple ignited the afternoon of giving with a $25,000 pledge. A torrent of donations would follow.

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Major gifts from Hamid Eshghi, Rick Ilich, David Richardson and others would rain down. It would contribute to a $513,000 total for the groundbreaking Richmond facility.

“Today feels like history-in-the-making. We’re so deeply touched by the amount of community support that came forward to help our provincial families affected by autism,” says Pacific Autism Family Network co-founder Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia.

“We hope that by highlighting these incredible community initiatives to our 1,000 guests, we’ve inspired others to introduce new programs and services that will allow for further inclusion for absolutely everyone,” she adds.

Autism advocate Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia thanks Premier John Horgan and the provincial government for the $20 million gift that helped make the groundbreaking Pacific Autism Family Network facility in Richmond a reality.
Autism advocate Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia thanks Premier John Horgan and the provincial government for the $20 million gift that helped make the groundbreaking Pacific Autism Family Network facility in Richmond a reality.
Sue Paish, the CEO of LifeLabs Medical Laboratory Services, and Adam Palmer, chief constable of the Vancouver Police Department, were honoured with the PAFN Game Changer Award for their tremendous work done for B.C. families.
Sue Paish, the CEO of LifeLabs Medical Laboratory Services, and Adam Palmer, chief constable of the Vancouver Police Department, were honoured with the PAFN Game Changer Award for their tremendous work done for B.C. families.
Diana Bennett and Scott Menke, principals of Paragon Gaming, welcomed 1,000 guests to their Parq Vancouver ballroom for the largest autism fundraising luncheon in the country.
Diana Bennett and Scott Menke, principals of Paragon Gaming, welcomed 1,000 guests to their Parq Vancouver ballroom for the largest autism fundraising luncheon in the country.
Sergio Cocchia recognized Tamara Vrooman, Vancity’s president and CEO, for her firm’s inclusive hiring throughout the province.
Sergio Cocchia recognized Tamara Vrooman, Vancity’s president and CEO, for her firm’s inclusive hiring throughout the province.
David Richardson and Hamid Eshghi were among the heavyweights who contributed to the $513,000 raised at the Launch Luncheon.
David Richardson and Hamid Eshghi were among the heavyweights who contributed to the $513,000 raised at the Launch Luncheon.
Sonia Beeksma and Jill Krop were among a host of media talent who lent their support to the inaugural Pacific Autism Family Foundation fundraiser.
Sonia Beeksma and Jill Krop were among a host of media talent who lent their support to the inaugural Pacific Autism Family Foundation fundraiser.

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