The Victoria Hospitals Foundation hosted the 32nd annual Visions Gala at the Fairmont Empress Hotel to raise more than $2.75 million for the Surgical Innovations Campaign.

The star item in the silent and live auctions at the event — a private suite for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert in Vancouver — brought in $260,000 in donations to the hospital.

Funds from the gala will help support a new fundraising campaign, It’s Time for Surgical Innovation. This initiative includes plans to bring a surgical robot to Royal Jubilee, which would make it the second hospital in British Columbia with this technology.

Dr Jeff McCracken, chief urologist at the Royal Jubilee and Victoria General hospitals, explained the importance of medical advancements upon release. He says tools like these minimize restrictions on the care the hospital can provide.

“We will have cutting-edge surgical tools in the hands of incredible surgeons here, giving patients the best possible chance of recovery and cure.” The power of this technology to change lives is immeasurable,” says McCracken.

Around 100 local doctors also set a record attendance at the Visions Gala in Victoria. The hospital hopes that the provision of new equipment will attract new healthcare professionals and retain them in hospitals.

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