KELOWNA, BC, Sept 13, 2026 – More than $1 million was raised for emergency care at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) at the KGH Foundation’s signature Heart of Gold gala Saturday night. Held at the historic Tolko Mill site in downtown Kelowna, the event inspired an extraordinary show of community support for the second busiest emergency department in British Columbia. 

The evening also marked the finale of the Foundation’s Closer to Home Than You Think campaign, with gifts from Heart of Gold pushing the ambitious campaign beyond its $40 million goal. 

“The generosity we saw at Heart of Gold was extraordinary, and we are so grateful to everyone who stepped forward in support of emergency care for patients and families across our region,” says Allison Young, CEO of the KGH Foundation. “The evening was an epic close to our Closer to Home Than You Think Campaign. Every single one of us will be touched by this campaign in some shape or form. It’s changed our health care system in ways that will be felt for decades to come.” 

More than 100,000 patients rely on KGH’s Emergency Department each year. Funds raised through Heart of Gold will build on the momentum of the Foundation’s emergency care campaign launched this past spring, advancing further improvements that increase clinical capacity, improve patient flow, enhance trauma care and create safer, more functional spaces for both patients and care teams. 

“Our team is incredibly committed to the people who come through our doors, but the department was never designed for the volume or complexity of care we are seeing today,” says Dr. Neil Long, Emergency Physician at KGH. “The generosity shown at Heart of Gold will help create an environment where our teams can work more effectively and patients can access the care they need sooner. On behalf of everyone in Emergency, we are incredibly grateful and deeply moved by this level of support.”  

Held at the historic Tolko Mill site in downtown Kelowna, the 2026 Heart of Gold volunteer committee transformed an unexpected industrial setting around the theme ‘Behind the Curtain’, giving guests a closer look at the people, pressures, and realities behind emergency care at KGH. An anonymous donor stepped forward with a $500,000 matching donation, to encourage support throughout the evening.  

The event brought together physicians, donors, community leaders and supporters for a memorable evening featuring food, cocktails, and wine from leading local talent, along with entertainment from Classic Elton and nine-piece band The Jets. 

Dr. Maurice Blitz, Chief of Staff, Medical Director and Thoracic Surgeon at KGH, and Dr. Long spoke about KGH’s role as a regional referral centre and the growing demands facing its Emergency Department. 

“Emergency care is something most of us will rely on at some point, for ourselves or someone we love,” says Dr. Blitz. “But KGH’s Emergency Department is also the front door to a highly specialized regional hospital serving patients from across the interior, and our region continues to grow. Our emergency team performs at an exceptionally high level, and philanthropy gives us the ability to strengthen the environment around them so the space can work as efficiently as they do. We have seen donor support transform care across KGH. Now, thanks to the KGH Foundation and Heart of Gold donors, it will help ensure our busiest department can continue to deliver at its best.” 

The milestone evening also brought Closer to Home Than You Think, the largest fundraising campaign in KGH Foundation history, to a powerful close. Launched with an ambitious $40 million goal, the campaign has supported transformational investments across KGH and the Southern Interior, helping advance eight critical areas of care: clinical and surgical excellence, women’s health, mental health, health system innovation, cardiac care, brain health, cancer care, and emergency care. 

“Crossing the $40 million mark belongs to this entire community,” says Young. “Thousands of people chose to invest in better care close to home, and the impact of those decisions will be felt for years to come. It is difficult to overstate our gratitude.”  

Since Heart of Gold began 27 years ago, the event has raised more than $11 million for health care in the region. Previous funds have helped establish JoeAnna’s House, advance cancer care, invest in Parkinson’s care and brain health, support the development of cardiac sciences at KGH and fund other priority areas of care. 

“We are deeply appreciative to those who joined us last night to celebrate and to support the progress we’re making together,” shares Young. “Public funding provides the foundation of our health care system, but community generosity accelerates progress, allowing our local priorities to move forward faster, rather than waiting years for future capital investment.”  

The KGH Foundation wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to; the Heart of Gold committee, including Chair Courtney MacRae, and Creative Director, Lynn Archibald; host venue, Holar Developments & The Thorlakson Family; our incredible Chefs – Brian Skinner (Frankie We Salute You), Kai Koroll (Humo Isakaya, Ask Pablo & Epicurio), Mark Filatow (Waterfront Wines), Julian Helman (KARAT Chocolate), Stevie Rush & Ian Philmore (Central Kitchen +  Bar); raffle prize, European Goldsmith; show producers, SW Event Technology; security, TSSK9 Security and Integrated Living Security Corp; our dedicated volunteers including the team from RBC Royal Bank and RBC Dominion Securities; and so many others for their part in helping create a one-of-a-kind event.  

“Heart of Gold is remarkable because of the people behind it,” adds Young. “From the volunteers who spend months planning every detail to the donors who raise their hands in generosity, this event proves how deeply our community cares. When people come together around a shared belief, the impact can be extraordinary!” 

Heart of Gold has previously received national recognition three separate times at the Canadian Event Awards. 

To learn more and support the KGH Foundation’s Emergency Care campaign, visit www.kghfoundation.com/emergency.