A Record Breaking Day
How the 10th annual KGH Day of Giving brought showers of support
Before the day had even begun, the community’s support for the launch of our spring campaign in support of KGH’s Emergency Department was already extraordinary.
In many ways, people were telling us what we already knew. Nearly everyone, at some point, has relied on the Emergency Department. They know what it feels like to sit in the waiting room, to wait in triage, or to be cared for by an emergency physician, nurse or member of the care team. And they understand the importance of rallying behind them.
Our community raised a staggering $2,533,995 to support the ongoing need of our Emergency Department.
Thanks to the generosity of local families and their matching gifts, the impact was already building before KGH Day of Giving even officially began. What started as an incredible $550,000 in matching funds great to $800,000 through additional gifts from several generous local donors. Then, in a Foundation first, an anonymous donor stepped forward with an extraordinary additional $700,000 match for all gifts made on KGH Day of Giving itself.
That meant, for one remarkable day, every $1 donated became $3 for emergency care at KGH.
Like any unpredictable morning in May, the day arrived with heavy rain and wind, but the weather did nothing to dampen the determination of the KGH Foundation team, volunteers, and community partners.
Vista Radio stations broadcast live from the hospital starting at 6 a.m., sharing stories and helping rally the community around the cause. Tim Hortons sold a limited-edition hot pink ‘Day of Giving’ donut in support of the campaign and also donated 10% of sales from their Lakeshore, Powick, Hollywood and Leckie locations. Black & McDonald sold the donuts at KGH and were enthusiastic sponsors. Save-On-Foods hosted a fundraising BBQ and spin-to-win prize wheel.
The Sprott Shaw College “Change Bandits” braved the rain, collecting donations from drivers passing by. KGH Foundation staff and volunteers bundled up under blankets at donation stations, ready to greet anyone who came by on foot or by car to give.
And behind the scenes, the finance team stayed up counting until the wee hours of the morning to ensure every single dollar was accounted for.
In 2025, KGH Day of Giving raised more than $1.2 million to help bring robotic-assisted surgery (Vinni) to KGH, a record-breaking result at the time. This year, by midday, that record had already been surpassed and then some.
It was raining. It was windy. But as donations continued to come in, the excitement only grew.
By 6 p.m., the total had reached $2.1 million, a truly unprecedented number. Still, the gifts kept coming until midnight. The final total? An incredible $2,533,995.17 for emergency care at KGH.
The community showed up in every possible way. People drove in. People donated online. People phoned in. People gave what they could. Together, they raised an unbelievable amount in support of KGH’s ED.
These funds will support the most immediate and urgent needs of the department, with targeted improvements focused on equipment and the front end of the Emergency Department.
These investments will help optimize patient flow, enhance safety, support faster diagnostics, and help reduce wait times for patients and families across the region.
This historic total was made possible by thousands of donations received throughout the day, and by a community that recognized the urgent need to support KGH’s Emergency Department, the second busiest in British Columbia.
The work ahead is significant, but so is the momentum. Together, we are helping shape and decide what health care can become, closer to home than you think.
