BC Business
An Evening to Bring Back Hope Gala raises $2 million for spinal patients
A sold-out crowd of 850 attended the 2017 Bring Back Hope gala at the Vancouver Convention Centre on June 8. The event raised $2 million* in support of the extraordinary humanitarian work of Dr. Rick Hodes and a building partnership with the UBC Branch for International Surgical Care.
This year’s gala honoured Dr. Rick Hodes, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) medical director, and Dr. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei, founder of the Foundation of Orthopedics and Complex Spine (FOCOS). Global National Weekend anchor Robin Gill was the emcee, and Peter Legge, Canada Wide Media chairman and CEO, interviewed Dr. Hodes and Dr. Boachie on stage. Gala co-chairs were Gary Segal and his wife, Nanci. Guests enjoyed a musical performance by musician Moël and an entertaining auction by Howard Blank, Point Blank Entertainment principal.
Gary Segal launched the Bring Back Hope Initiative for Ethiopia after meeting Dr. Rick Hodes in order to support Rick’s humanitarian mission and to create hope for the hundreds of spinal cord patients that would otherwise be doomed to suffer an early death without the intervention of Dr. Hodes and Dr. Boachie.
The life-saving partnership between Dr. Hodes, an observant Jew, and Dr. Boachie, a devoted Baptist, is an inspiring story and an uplifting example of caring people joining together and using their faith for the good of humanity, regardless of colour, creed, religion or ethnicity.
* This story has been updated to indicate that the amount of funds raised has increased from $1.8 million to $2 million.
Gary Segal, Bring Back Hope founding chair; and Peter Legge, Canada Wide Media chairman and CEO and special guests interviewer for the gala
Dr. Rick Hodes, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee medical director and gala honouree; and Dr. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei, The Foundation of Orthopedics and Complex Spine (FOCOS) founder and gala honouree
Melita Segal and her husband, Lorne Segal, Kingswood Properties president
Sandi Cooper, BC Film Commissioner, Creative BC; Matt Cooper, entrepreneur; and Chantelle Wong, Bring Back Hope PR
Dr. Rick Hodes, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee medical director and gala honouree; his mother, Betts Flynn; Gary Segal, Bring Back Hope founding chair; Rosalie Segal; and Joe Segal, Kingswood Capital Corporation founder and chair
Ron Bernbaum, Peartree Financial CEO; and Renee Bernbaum, Peartree Financial president
Sam Hirji, Samco Printers Ltd. president and CEO; Salma Mawani, UBC Museum of Anthropology manager, administration and community liaison; Mirza Rahimani, Samco Printers Ltd; and Nuri Mawani
Marty Braverman, Dr. Martin Braverman Inc. president; Norm Brownstein, Oberon Capital partner; and Janet Braverman
Shari Gaerber and her husband, Allen Gaerber, Eddie’s Hang-Up Display Ltd. VP
Rick Hansen, Rick Hansen Foundation founder and honorary committee member, speaks to the crowd at the cocktail reception
Nayah Mang and her father, Randall Mang, RandallAnthony Communications president
Sumarme Goble, UBC chaplain St. Andrews parish; and Rob Allore, UBC chaplain St. Mark’s parish
Melissa Leifer, West Coast Dance Fit owner; and Mark Mould, entrepreneur
Ashley Michaels, legal assistant; and Frank Quo Vadis, Koffman Kalef LLP partner
Jas Hayre, MNP International Tax Group partner, and his wife, Yasmin Hayre
Andrew Wilkinson, MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena; and Lorne Segal, Kingswood Properties president
Nicole D’Amato, Rick Hansen Foundation relationship manager; and Rick Hansen, Rick Hansen Foundation founder
Robin Gill, Global National weekend anchor and gala emcee
Musician Moël performed at the gala
Tracey McVicar, CAI Capital Management Co. managing partner; and Jen Murtagh, Minerva BC CEO
Tesfaye Anagaw speaks to the crowd about his experience with Bring Back Hope
Dr. Rick Hodes, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee medical director and gala honouree; and Peter Legge, Canada Wide Media chairman and CEO and special guest interviewer
The Bring Back Hope gala
Howard Blank, Point Blank Entertainment principal and gala auctioneer
Stephanie Segal and her brother, Justin Segal, work the room, giving successful auction bidders an honorary toque
Gala co-chairs Nanci and Gary Segal