Saturday evening’s David Foster Foundation Miracle Gala and Concert brought big hitters from music and business, to the WestJet Campus in the northeast for a fundraising event which raised more than $8 million for Canadian families with children undergoing pediatric organ transplants.
Guests were treated to performances from some of music’s biggest names including Jennifer Hudson, Kenny ‘Babyface’ Edmonds, David Foster and Aerosmith front man, Steven Tyler. Many of the performers volunteered their time and opened their pocketbooks to assist the cause
“I’m going to give up $100,000,” Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler told the crowd. “That’s $10,000 to each family, to ten families. I want to start it off with that.”
Jim Treliving, the CEO of Boston Pizza known for his appearances on the television show Dragon’s Den, made a $1M donation to the David Foster Foundation. During the ceremony, Treliving was honoured as the National Business Leader of the Year.
The David Foster Foundation has assisted more than 1,000 families since its inception in 1986. The average family with a child undergoing an organ transplant faces more than $10,000 in non-medical expenses each year.
More than $8.2 million was collected at the event through ticket sales, an auction featuring 'once-in-a-lifetime' items, and private donations.
