A few years ago, Balraj Mann had a relative who went into Langley Memorial Hospital for a routine treatment and the doctors discovered cancer.
“Langley hospital took such good care,” he said. “I’ve had a couple experiences like that.”
That’s when he decided to get involved in the local health care scene and is now serving his second term on the Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation.
“We’re trying to give back,” he said.
The local businessman and longtime local resident Manjit Gill, another foundation board member, are spearheading a new fundraiser for the local hospital – the Giving Hearts Gala on Feb. 9.
The event is an attempt to reach out to the growing South Asian community in Langley to be part of the hospital campaign for a new, explained emergency department and MRI suite.
The event is inspired by the 550th birthday of the founders of the Sikh faith.
Organizers are hoping to attract about 400 people for an evening of sumptuous food, entertainment and philanthropy. He said there’s “a delicious Indian feast” as well as other selections as the event is open to all, not just the South Asian community.
“They’ve arranged some local Bollywood artists, some dance groups to make it enjoyable,” Mann said.
The hospital foundation would welcome donations of prizes and other support to add to the growing list of items that will help raise money as part of the $15 million ER project that breaks ground this year.
“A lot of people can appreciate the need,” he commented.
The Shiamak Vancouver dance troupe will perform, and the emcees are Leah Holiove, a local radio and TV personality, and Jaspreet (Jas) Gill, the operations manager at Pulse FM, based in Surrey.
Tickets are $250 for an individual and $2,000 for a table of 10. The gala happens at the Mirage Banquet Hall, 17767 64th Ave., starting at 6 p.m. For tickets or information, call the foundation at 604-533-6422. The foundation is a charity set up to fundraise for the local hospital. The foundation has hosted the Denim and Diamonds Gala in recent years and will be altering the format of its biggest event of the year. There’s also the foundation golf tournament and other initiatives during the year.
Join us February 9 for #GivingHeartsGala – a dinner & dance for our South Asian community & a night to remember! All in support of #LangleyMemorialHospital‘s new #ER. Limited tickets! Reserve your table/tickets now: https://t.co/rWAxUdu5Ra pic.twitter.com/IuDjvP6Neh
— LMH Foundation (@LMHFoundation1) January 9, 2019
