From Operating Rooms to Future Healthcare Workers: How a Community Continues to Shape Local Healthcare
by Tabatha Golat
Each year, hundreds of people from across the Saanich Peninsula gather for an evening of celebration, generosity, and community spirit. While the event itself lasts only one night, its impact can be felt for years. The Saanich Peninsula Hospital & Healthcare Foundation’s Spirit Gala has become a powerful example of what can happen when a community comes together around a shared goal of ensuring exceptional healthcare is available close to home.
Last year, the Spirit Gala generated an extraordinary $548,879 in donations during the event. The impact was then doubled when local philanthropist Trudy Busch generously matched the total, bringing the Gala’s contribution to $1,097,758 in support of the Enhancing Surgical Services and Parking Campaign at Saanich Peninsula Hospital. Those funds are already helping move important projects forward. Upgrades to surgical services will increase operating room capacity and help reduce wait times, while a parking expansion is expected to add over 100 new spaces for patients, families, and staff.
The results of community philanthropy can be seen throughout the hospital. For Dr. Patrick Yang, Surgical Site Chief at Saanich Peninsula Hospital, donor support continues to make a meaningful difference. Recently, Foundation-funded equipment helped improve care for patients requiring urgent eye procedures, allowing surgeons to deliver treatment more efficiently and effectively. Investments made possible through community generosity help ensure patients can access high-quality care locally while supporting healthcare teams with modern equipment and facilities.
These stories highlight the vital role local donors play in strengthening healthcare on the Peninsula. When residents support the Foundation, they are helping fund projects and equipment that directly benefit patients, families, and healthcare providers.
The Spirit Gala returns on November 14, 2026, with an Enchanted Forest theme, bringing together community members, healthcare supporters, and local leaders for an evening of celebration and impact. While guests will enjoy an evening of dining, entertainment, and fundraising, the event is ultimately about something much larger than a single evening. For decades, local donors have helped fund equipment, facility improvements, and healthcare initiatives that might not otherwise have been possible.
Looking ahead, the Foundation is preparing to focus on another important priority by supporting the education and development of future healthcare professionals who will care for our community in the years to come. The 2026 Spirit Gala will mark the launch of this new fundraising priority and offer guests a first look at the Foundation’s next investment in local healthcare. Tickets are already nearly 50% sold, reflecting the strong community support the Gala continues to receive year after year.
As healthcare needs continue to grow across the Peninsula, one thing remains unchanged: when our community comes together, remarkable things happen. The Spirit Gala is a celebration of that spirit and a reminder that the future of healthcare is something we all help build together.
For more information or to purchase tickets, sphf.ca/spirit-gala-2026 or call (250) 656-2948.
Disclosure: This article was provided by the Saanich Peninsula Hospital & Healthcare Foundation. ChatGPT was used for editing and copy refinement.
