Daffodil Ball in Kelowna Raises Over $200,000 for Brain Cancer Research

It’s one of Kelowna’s signature funding events, and it was a huge success on Friday night.

The Canadian Cancer Society’s annual Daffodil Ball in Kelowna raised more than $220,000 thanks to both private and corporate sponsors. The event had more than 150 guests and this year the gala was focused on supporting life-saving brain cancer research.

Some of the guests at the 2015 Daffodil Ball in Kelowna. (Photo Credit: Contributed)

For the first time ever this year, donations through the evening’s auctions were doubled thanks to the Society’s unique partnership with the Brain Canada Foundation.

The Society says that an estimated 3000 Canadians will be diagnosed with brain cancer this year, and that figure includes 200 children. The five-year survival rate for adults has increased just 2 per cent up to 25 per cent, a considerably lower rate than the 63 per cent survival rate for all cancers combined.

Photo Credit: Contributed

“The Daffodil Ball is a one-of-a-kind event where the generosity and compassion of donors, sponsors and guests will directly impact the fight against cancer,” says Barbara Kaminsky, CEO, Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon. “We are incredibly grateful and honoured for the support we received at this year’s event, which will go toward life-saving cancer research and local support programs.”

The gala this year was hosted at the historic Laurel Packinghouse and featured performances from Ballet Kelowna, Opera Kelowna’s Olivia Smith, Joshua Smith, Andrew Allen and The Trips.