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SMELLING THE ROSES Transparent about their efforts with their daughter Rina’s struggle with cystic fibrosis, Leona and Max Pinsky and their entire family have been tireless champions raising awareness and advocacy for the genetic disorder. Creators of the 65 Roses Gala, the event has raised over $4 million for life changing research and care. During that time, thanks to their contributions, the couple have also seen the estimated median age of survival for people with cystic fibrosis in Canada increase from 35 to 52 years. This is among the highest in the world.

Looking to do more — there is still no known cure for CF — the Pinskys, along with a gala committee led by chairs Sanjeev Parsad and Colleen Kohse fronted the 17th staging of 65 Roses, the foundation’s signature soirée at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel. Hosted by CBC’s Gloria Macarenko and Belle Puri, the East-MeetsWest-themed affair attracted 300 fans — each shelling out $275 a ticket — to attend the magical evening created to further the mission of finding a cure and to support the 4,200 Canadians living with cystic fibrosis.

One of those, eight-year old Stuart Sanderson, shared his life story with attendees; a life which has seen the youngster devote significant time to physiotherapy, medical appointments and periodic hospitalization in an effort to maintain his health. With hopes and plans for a bright future, Sanderson helped guests open their hearts and purse strings following the multicourse wine-paired meal. Before party guests kicked-up their heels to SideOne, and a reported $400,000 was raised to continue the research for a cure.

“Because of people like you, CF will stand for a cure found,” said a thankful Sanderson.

MORE INSPIRATION Every year attendees of the Inspiration Gala go above and beyond to change the future of cancer in British Columbia. The 2017 presentation at the Hotel Vancouver would be no different as a well-heeled group convened for the night of inspiration and bold giving. Led by Tamara Taggart, the news anchor reprised her role as gala chair for the fourth consecutive year. A cancer survivor herself, Taggart and an influential group of committee members came together to raise funds for families affected by hereditary cancer. Nearly 10 per cent of all cancer diagnoses are hereditary and they include breast, prostate, pancreatic and many other types, said Taggart. By piloting a provincial hereditary screening program, we can change the story for families affected by hereditary cancer, and dramatically increase their chances for survival, she added. Gala keynote

Michael Izen would underscore the case for support. Living with terminal prostate cancer — his disease is caused by a hereditary mutation — his courageous and moving words had all 400 guests rise in a standing ovation.

Izen’s remarks would also inspire those in the ballroom to raise their paddle and show their love. Leading the way with showstopper gifts was Christian Chan with a $600,000 pledge. Laurie Rix would quickly follow with a $500,000 gift, made in memory of her late husband Neil

Macrae. More donations ranging from $250,000 to $1,000 would rain down. And before guests took to the dance floor and the late night buffet, B.C. Cancer Foundation chair Andrew Sweeney announced more than $2.6 million posted from this year’s black-tie outing.

“Generous donations this evening will help B.C. Cancer take a huge leap forward ensuring more cancers are detected earlier and prevented completely,” said Sarah Roth, President and CEO, B.C. Cancer Foundation. “Funds raised will bring hope to families across generations and give experts the tools they need to ensure the needs of high risk families are addressed before their health is affected.”

BIG LAUGHS Comedians Charlie Demers and Ivan Decker headlined the Foundation Fighting Blindness’s Comic Vision fundraiser. A national effort dedicated to fighting against blindness by advancing retinal disease research, education and public awareness, the campaign made a stop in Vancouver following fundraising efforts in Montreal and Toronto. After learning her five-year old son

Gavin was losing his eyesight and that there was little that could be done, Burlington mom Ann Morrison has made it her life’s work for nearly two decades to raise awareness and fundraise for sight-saving research.

Travelling coast to coast to coast with the country’s funniest people, Morrison has invited thousands to share the laughter and see the hope. Since the event’s inception, more than $9 million has been raised from the evenings of laughter, helping over a million Canadians currently living with retinal eye diseases.

Morrison was on hand to thank attendees who packed the Imperial Lounge for the night of comedy. Yours truly served as master of ceremonies and called the auction of one-of-a-kind experiences. A Tim Ellison-hosted wine tasting cocktail party would fetch the night’s top bid of $12,000, contributing to a record $100,000 raised, up $30,000 from the year previously.

PHOTOS: FRED LEE/PNG Max and Leona Pinsky and their entire family have been tireless advocates raising awareness and advocacy for cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder. Creators of the 65 Roses Gala, the event has raised over $4 million for research and care.

Eight-year old Stuart Sanderson shared his story of living with cystic fibrosis with attendees at the 65 Roses Gala, an East-MeetsWest-themed affair co-emceed by Belle Puri.

CBC’s Gloria Macarenko and co-chair Colleen Kohse. A CF fighter, Kohse celebrated the 29th anniversary of her heart and double-lung transplant surgery, and 17th anniversary of her kidney transplant.

Cystic Fibrosis Canada regional executive director, BC/ Yukon, Sara Hoshooley, event specialist Alysen Cox, and chief executive, Western Canada, Shannon Ketelaars.

PHOTOS: FRED LEE/PNG Joined by her husband Dave Genn, Tamara Taggart, reprised her role as Inspiration Gala chair for the fourth consecutive year.

Comic Vision committee members Caitlin Robinson and Briar Sexton flanked evening keynote Michaela Robinson, who thanked attendees for their support of sight-saving research.

Comic Vision event coordinator Jane Caddick raised a glass to attendees for their generous support to change the reality for more than a million other Canadians living with retinal eye diseases.

Funny men Ivan Decker and Charlie Demers headlined Ann Morrison’s Comic Vision fundraiser. A record $100,000 was raised for the Foundation Fighting Blindness.

Carol Fraser, Andrea Flintoft, Tracey Roach and Cindy Dekker enjoyed a night of laughs at Comic Vision.

Cancer survivor Claudia Pavao and her husband John were among the 400 cancer fighters at the event. Pavao is among highrisk families affected by hereditary cancer.

BC Cancer Foundation chair Andrew Sweeney, special guests Gina Woolsey and Michael Izen and Sanja Simic, executive director, Conconi Foundation and breast cancer survivor, celebrated an inspired night of giving.

Laurie Rix made a $500,000 gift made in memory of her late husband Neil Macrae, contributing to a $2.61-million night for CEO Sarah Roth’s BC Cancer Foundation and its provincial hereditary screening program.

Dr. Intan Schraeder, Dr. Stephen Chia and Dr. Sophie Sun are leading the way to bring hope to families across generations.