Latest news with #DilawriFoundation
Vancouver Sun
13-06-2025
- Health
- Vancouver Sun
Letters to The Sun: Dilawri Foundation's donation is a life-changing gift
Re: Dilawri Foundation makes historic $60-million donation to VGH, UBC On behalf of the vast number of people who may be affected by heart disease and will need highly specialized care, but who at this time might not think of writing a letter to the editor, I want to say thank you to the Dilawri family for their enormous donation to the Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Hospital to create our own Mayo Clinic of the North. It is sure to benefit many of us for generations. With all the bad news in the world today, this is a beacon of goodness. Jane Murphy Thomas, Vancouver A daily roundup of Opinion pieces from the Sun and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Informed Opinion will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Re: Postmedia's Kim Bolan one of three honoured for courageous reporting by Canadian Association of Journalists Congratulations to our incredible journalist Kim Bolan, who has risked her life many, many times when investigating horrid drug gangs, murders and other hard crime. She is incredibly brave at the journalism she pursues, and all for our sakes. She deserves this award and more for her persistent bravery. Caroline Duncan, North Vancouver It is quite evident that Canadian wildfire agencies and politicians are resigned to the public dealing with mass evacuations, unhealthy air, and destruction. Year after year, nothing changes. Shame. Compared to landslides, windstorms, floods and earthquakes, public emergencies from wildfires are the easiest to prevent. All fires start small, and when acted upon quickly with the right resources, mass evacuations can be avoided. As a former wildfire protection officer and incident management team member, I can assert that the right type and number of aircraft dispatched on discovery determines the outcome. With changing weather and changing landscape, fires need to be hit extra hard and fast from the air on initial attack, night and day. Ground crews are no match for moving crown fires. Wildfire agencies and politicians must give initial air attack a higher priority, otherwise we can expect more of the same — small fires turning into monsters. Clarence Friesen, Kelowna Re: Letter: Not all involuntary treatment is the same Thank you to The Sun for printing Marilyn Baker's letter. It is so important to keep clarifying the distinction between mental illness and addictions. These used to be considered very separate issues — and indeed they are. People suffering from both problems up until the early 1990s were called 'dual diagnosis' patients. The Vancouver General Hospital had a special ward that treated each condition quite separately — which worked fairly well. It is important to keep reminding people that these two things are not the same. As Baker's letter points out, there is clear, fact-based medical evidence that antipsychotic treatment for mental illness works. We do not yet know for certain about addictions, thus the argument continues. Meanwhile, patients with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses must be treated as early as possible, so they can live safely and with dignity in the community. Jane Duval, Vancouver Re: B.C. public-sector jobs have more than doubled under the NDP A great article in The Sun on June 7, but vital data is missing. The provincial government has tripled its debt in a vain effort to maintain existing services. They will take on more debt in the years ahead. There is little prospect of a significant increase in GDP, and GDP per capita and GDP per purchasing power parity are decreasing month by month and year by year. Any would-be job applicant from the target countries — the U.S. and Australia — who takes the trouble to look at our levels of taxation, the costs of living and the purchasing power parity here will not apply. They might also check out the number of people here in B.C. without a family doctor and waiting times to see a consultant or for surgery. The article mentioned population growth and the resulting increased pressure on all public services, but no figures. Canada's population grew by well over 1.5 million last year. That figure includes all legal immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. On top of this comes temporary foreign workers, special permits and others. The article concentrated on salaries in the public sector, but added to these figures must be pensions, supplies and other essential running costs. So, a great article, but no solutions. Sadly, it will continue to be a case of crisis management and ever more public debt and higher taxes. Paul Rhodes, Sechelt
CBC
07-06-2025
- Health
- CBC
$60M donation will fund cardiovascular institute at Vancouver General Hospital
Social Sharing The head cardiologist at Vancouver General Hospital says a $60 million donation toward a new cardiovascular health institute and innovation fund will have a life-saving impact around the world. Dr. David Wood, head of cardiology at the hospital, said Thursday that $35 million is earmarked for the new institute, while $25 million is for a new "innovation fund" to immediately bolster research, while attracting top talent in the field from all over the world. Angela Chapman, president of the VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation, said the donation from the Dilawri Foundation is the largest in the hospital foundation's history. "That innovation fund, $25 million, completely changes the game," Wood said. WATCH | New, innovative cardiac care centre coming to Vancouver: $60M donation expected to make Vancouver a world leader in cardiac care 20 hours ago Duration 1:44 A new, innovative cardiac care centre is coming to Vancouver General Hospital thanks to a record-setting philanthropic gift from a Canadian company. As Chad Pawson reports, the new centre aims to be one of the best in the world. Wood said the fund will allow him and colleagues to quickly implement new ideas without having to wait for government funding, including from the United States. He said the infrastructure to support research in the U.S. "has completely changed." "The [National Institutes of Health], the funding of research, the [Food and Drug Administration] getting new technology devices approved is now dramatically different than it was six months ago," he said. "I feel very bad for some of my colleagues across the border." Wood said the funding is a "transformative gift" that will help attract top foreign talent, and he said he had already received "hundreds of resumés." Chapman said the land for the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute on West 12th Avenue in Vancouver is currently being rezoned, with a plan to begin construction in 2027 and complete it within three or four years. "It's a big project, so it has a lot of different components that are going to take time. The rezoning is one of them," she said. "We've been working with the city since we started to purchase the land." She said the city has been "incredibly supportive of the project." Ajay Dilawri, whose family company owns dozens of car dealerships, said the foundation made the donation after his father sought out treatment for heart issues around the world. Dilawri said his father was 90 years old at the time, and the "overwhelming response" from health professionals, including at the Mayo Clinic in the United States, was that he needed "invasive" and complex open-heart surgery. But Dilawri said Wood and his team proposed a different plan. "They were very confident that they had the expertise to avoid open-heart surgery and do a procedure that was not as invasive," Dilawri said. "Obviously, it was a sigh of relief. We were so grateful because, again, at his age, there could be complications and the risk factor is quite a bit higher. It was a godsend. It was an absolute feeling of relief."
CTV News
05-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
$60M donation will fund cardiovascular institute at Vancouver General Hospital
From the left, Vivian Eliopoulos, president and CEO of Vancouver Coastal Health, Ajay Dilawri, co-founder of the Dilawri Foundation, Angela Chapman, president and CEO of the VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation, and Dr. David Wood, head of cardiology at Vancouver General Hospital and the University of British Columbia Hospital, pose for a picture at an event unveiling a $60-million donation by the Dilawri Foundation for a new cardiovascular health institute and a research innovation fund in Vancouver on Thursday, June 5, 2025. (Darryl Greer / The Canadian Press)
Globe and Mail
05-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Vancouver General Hospital receives $60-million donation to fund cardiovascular institute
The president of the Vancouver General Hospital's foundation has announced a $60-million donation that will go toward creating a world-leading cardiovascular institute. Angela Chapman of the VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation says the donation from the Dilawri Foundation is the largest in the hospital foundation's history. Chapman says the land for the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute on West 12th Avenue in Vancouver is currently being rezoned, with construction hoped to begin in 2027. Dr. David Wood, head of cardiology at the hospital, says $35 million is earmarked for the new institute, while $25 million is for a new 'innovation fund' to immediately bolster research, while attracting top talent in the field from all over the world. Wood says the fund will allow him and colleagues to quickly implement new ideas without having to wait for government funding, including from the United States where he says the scientific research landscape is 'dramatically different than it was six months ago.' Ajay Dilawri, whose family company owns dozens of car dealerships, says the foundation made the donation after his father sought out treatment for heart issues around the world, and Dr. Wood and his team were the only ones who didn't propose 'invasive' and complex open-heart surgery.
Cision Canada
05-06-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
Dilawri Foundation Makes Historic $60 Million Gift to Revolutionize Heart Care
The Dilawri Foundation has made a record $60 million donation to establish the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute (DCI) on the campus of Vancouver General Hospital (VGH), the largest hospital in British Columbia. Led by Dr. David Wood, Head of Cardiology at VGH and UBC Hospital, the new Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute is embedded within the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, one of the top-funded research institutes in Canada. This transformative gift, the largest in the history of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, is unique as $35 million will help fund a proposed new multi-use tower at the corner of Oak Street and West 12 th Avenue and $25 million is for an unprecedented Innovation Fund. Building on Vancouver's global reputation, the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute will use the Innovation Fund to achieve its goal of becoming a national cardiovascular hub and one of the world's leading cardiovascular institutes. This will be accomplished by establishing a cardiovascular research and clinical care network with partner sites throughout North America and Europe and by recruiting the best clinicians and scientists from Canada and around the globe. Since 2002, the Dilawri Foundation — the philanthropic outreach of the Dilawri Group of Companies, Canada's largest automotive group — has contributed millions of dollars to health care, education, and social-impact initiatives. The Foundation is committed to making a lasting difference in the lives of Canadians by advancing health care, education, and social services across the country. This $60 million donation represents the Foundation's largest gift since its inception. VANCOUVER, BC, June 5, 2025 /CNW/ - In a landmark announcement, the Dilawri Foundation has made a record-setting $60 million philanthropic gift to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation to establish the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute (DCI) on the Vancouver General Hospital campus. "For our family, this is about bringing our values of compassion and community to life through meaningful investments that allow us to give back in a lasting way," said Ajay Dilawri, Co-founder of both the Dilawri Foundation and Dilawri. "We're honoured to support the exceptional team at Vancouver General Hospital and help advance a future where everyone in British Columbia — and beyond — has access to world-class cardiac care. Our goal is to help establish a global centre of excellence that will set a new benchmark for cardiac innovation and treatment. We hope this gift will help improve health care and quality of life on a broader scale." The gift also represents a major milestone in the mission of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, which plays a critical role in enabling innovation, recruiting top talent, and helping the people of British Columbia have access to the best care possible. As the leading charity investing in health care innovation in the province, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation connects visionary donors with world-class health care teams to help build healthier communities across British Columbia. By supporting Vancouver General Hospital, UBC Hospital, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, and Vancouver Community Health Services, the Foundation plays an essential role in fueling groundbreaking research, cutting-edge technology, and life-saving care. "This is a truly historic moment for health care philanthropy in Canada," said Angela Chapman, President and CEO of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. "The Dilawri Foundation's extraordinary generosity will help Vancouver and British Columbia attract and retain world-leading clinicians and researchers from Canada and around the globe. It will allow the talented specialists at VGH to accelerate discoveries and translate them into better patient care and outcomes for the people of British Columbia and beyond. Inspired by a first-hand experience of the specialized care provided at VGH, this is an incredible act of gratitude and philanthropy." The new Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute will be led by Dr. David Wood, a world-renowned structural and interventional cardiologist and Head of the Division of Cardiology at VGH and UBC Hospital. "Our clinicians and researchers are focused on using new technology and discoveries to improve access to care, shorten wait times, improve outcomes, and decrease recovery times. We have already taught centres throughout North America and around the globe how to replace heart valves in under 30 minutes so patients can go home the same day, or how to treat heart rhythm problems sooner — long before any cardiac damage becomes permanent," said Dr. David Wood. He added: "I am so incredibly proud of the amazing work our investigators have already accomplished. The new infrastructure and Innovation Fund will allow us to fulfill our goal: to become one of the leading cardiovascular institutes in the world. Our goal is to help patients live longer, symptom-free lives thanks to the disruptive innovation made possible by the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute." "The Dilawri Foundation's visionary support will have a profound and lasting impact on heart health for generations to come. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality, innovative health care, and this investment will enable us to continue our goal of providing leading-edge cardiac medicine, contributing to the global advancement of this field," said Vivian Eliopoulos, President and CEO, Vancouver Coastal Health. "Our family has been deeply moved by the incredible care, expertise, and compassion we've received from the team at Vancouver General Hospital," said Kap Dilawri, Co-founder of both the Dilawri Foundation and Dilawri. "We believe the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute will have a profound and lasting impact on patients, families, and communities — not only in Vancouver but also globally." To learn more about the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute, visit About VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is Vancouver Coastal Health's primary philanthropic partner, raising funds for specialized adult health care services and research for all people living in British Columbia. As the leading charity investing in health care innovation in British Columbia, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation partners with donors to raise essential funds for Vancouver Coastal Health, supporting VGH, UBC Hospital, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, and Vancouver Community Health Services. To learn more about VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, visit About Dilawri Privately owned and operated since 1984, Dilawri continues to build on its legacy as Canada's largest automotive group. While its roots are firmly planted in automotive retail, Dilawri has expanded its portfolio through a dedicated investment division with strategic interests in real estate and a range of diversified holdings. Dilawri is committed to leadership in the communities it serves as well as in business. Through the Dilawri Foundation, established in 2002, the company has contributed millions of dollars to a wide range of charitable causes. To learn more about Dilawri, visit About Vancouver Coastal Health Vancouver Coastal Health is committed to delivering exceptional care to 1.25 million people, including the First Nations, Métis and Inuit, within the traditional territories of the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo-Xai'xais, Lil'wat, Musqueam, N'Quatqua, Nuxalk, Samahquam, shíshálh, Skatin, Squamish, Tla'amin, Tsleil-Waututh, Wuikinuxv, and Xa'xtsa. To learn more about Vancouver Coastal Health, visit
