Black tie charity benefit, Vancouver, 16 Feb 2009

[Bud]

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/arch ... c9932.html

Diana Krall steps into fundraising spotlight to help blood cancer patients in B.C.

<<
An Evening with Diana Krall - Elton John, Elvis Costello and James Taylor
to benefit pioneering research and patient care at VGH
>>

VANCOUVER, Dec. 15 /CNW/ - B.C's own Diana Krall is returning to the
fundraising spotlight with a team of legendary performers for a cause that is
close to her heart: helping patients with multiple myeloma, leukemia and other
blood cancers. On February 16, 2009, Diana will be joined by Elton John,
Diana's husband Elvis Costello, and James Taylor for a private,
invitation-only, black tie charity benefit at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.
An Evening with Diana Krall - Elton John, Elvis Costello and James Taylor
will raise funds for VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation in support of patient care
and pioneering research at B.C's Leukemia and Bone Marrow Transplant Program.
"My family and I will always be grateful for the wonderful care our
mother Adella received from the doctors and nurses at VGH," said Diana Krall.
"Helping the team find cures for multiple myeloma and other blood cancers is
the ultimate tribute to her. We are proud to play a part in providing care,
comfort and hope to patients and their loved ones from across our province."
"Each year in B.C., there are approximately 1,000 new cases of blood
cancers such as multiple myeloma, leukemia and myelodysplasia" said Dr.
Clayton Smith, Director, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program of B.C. "Over
the years, the generosity of the Krall family, friends and donors has made a
tremendous difference to patient care and comfort and has helped ease the
burden on patients and their families seeking treatment while away from home.
They have also enabled our team to build a research program that is helping
patients right away - through clinical trials as well as 'made in B.C.' cures
for these devastating diseases."
"We are extremely honoured by the commitment the Krall family and their
many generous and talented friends have shown towards patients over the
years," said Ron Dumouchelle, President and CEO, VGH & UBC Hospital
Foundation. "Diana's six previous charity benefits have had a huge impact on
patients and families by funding groundbreaking research, purchasing new
critically needed medical equipment, and providing a welcoming and comforting
environment with the new Krall Centre at VGH, which opened earlier this year.
We are privileged to have shared this extraordinary journey with Diana and her
family and friends and are grateful that they have once again chosen to give
back to those who look to VGH for help and hope."
The Krall family's commitment to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is a
heartfelt expression of their thanks for the wonderful care Adella Krall
received through the Leukemia and Bone Marrow Transplant Program at VGH.
Adella, wife of Jim Krall and mother of Diana and Michelle, enjoyed six
additional precious years of life following her 1996 diagnosis of multiple
myeloma - an incurable form of cancer that affects the immune system. Since
Adella's passing in May 2002, the Krall family has continued to demonstrate
their commitment to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation to help others living with
multiple myeloma to have the best care possible, to celebrate Adella's vision
of helping leukemia and bone marrow transplant patients and their families and
ultimately, to contribute to finding a cure.
The six previous charity benefits have raised nearly $4 million.
Highlights from the 2006 event included stellar performances by Diana Krall,
Tony Bennett, Elton John, Elvis Costello, an appearance by United States
President William J. Clinton, and an impromptu performance by guest Sarah
McLachlan. Auction highlights included a spontaneous offer by Elton John and
partner David Furnish for two couples to each enjoy for a week their 36-acre
estate in Windsor, England, built in 1060 by William the Conqueror and used as
a hunting lodge by Henry VIII. The two week-long packages, complete with
chauffeur, a Michelin-starred chef and a performance jacket from Elton John
for each couple drew a combined total of $400,000.
The Foundation is pleased to partner with the Radcliffe Foundation as the
2009 event's Title Sponsor.

VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is a registered charity that raises funds
for the latest, most sophisticated medical equipment, world-class research and
improvements to patient care for Vancouver General Hospital, UBC Hospital, GF
Strong Rehab Centre and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute. For more
than 25 years, the Foundation and its donors have been a bridge between the
essential health care governments provide and the most advanced health care
possible.

<<
Title sponsor:
The Radcliffe Foundation


Background on blood-related cancers and
An Evening with Diana Krall - Elton John, Elvis Costello and James Taylor
- February 16, 2009
>>

About Blood Cancers

Cancers of the blood or bone marrow cells include multiple myeloma and
the various types of leukemia. Myeloma affects the blood, bones, immune system
and kidneys, and as a result, patients may suffer bone pain and fractures,
anemia, infection and bleeding, and impairment of kidney function. A disease
of adults, about 200 new cases of myeloma are diagnosed in B.C. every year.
There are various types of leukemia generally classified as acute (rapidly
growing) or chronic (slowly growing). Approximately 600 individuals in B.C.
develop leukemia each year.

Adella Krall's story

In January 1996, Adella Krall, mother of Diana and Michelle and wife of
Jim, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. An Evening with Diana Krall and
Friends began as a promise Diana made at her mother's bedside 12 years ago to
give back to the world-class team of doctors, nurses and other health care
professionals at VGH. Adella's journey ended in May 2002, but her family's
unwavering commitment to bringing hope for a brighter future for patients and
families continues.

Initiatives funded by the Krall Family:

The Krall Centre: a sanctuary for patients and families

In April 28, 2007, the L/BMT Outpatient Program's new facility on the
sixth floor of the Centennial Pavilion at VGH was officially dedicated as the
Krall Centre. Equipped to meet every medical need of patients, the centre also
addresses the social and spiritual aspects of healing. At the Krall Centre,
highly specialized medical care is offered in a welcoming space and home-like
surroundings. The subtle effects of lighting, colours, furnishings and artwork
help to infuse warmth and calm in a medical environment. This sanctuary has
all the elements necessary for healthcare professionals to deliver quality
care while giving patients and families, some of whom have traveled from
across the province to receive treatment, a comfortable space during the
various steps of their treatment and recovery.

Research at the Hematology Clinical Trials Unit

Funding from the Krall family for the new Hematology Clinical Trials Unit
at VGH to treat multiple myeloma and other diseases of the blood has enabled a
quadrupling of new drug trials. Standard treatments such as chemotherapy can
have harsh side effects. The Hematology Clinical Trials Unit offers patients
early access to brand new, less toxic treatments, often in the comfort of
their home, eliminating the need to travel to a hospital to stay for
treatment. Just one example is a trial for a potent new drug for myeloma,
which has provided 133 patients with a life-extending treatment in the last
two years.

Urgently-needed equipment

The numerous pieces of equipment purchased range from machines used for
administering and monitoring patient treatment (such as an apheresis machine,
used to separate blood components prior to transplant and ECG monitors, which
track heart function), to equipment (such as high-tech beds, stretchers,
recliners and digital scales) used to increase patient comfort and minimize
movement of patients when they are physically frail.

Help for out-of-town patients and families

The Krall family's belief in the importance of creating a reference tool
and a connecting point for people seeking information about blood diseases and
VGH's L/BMT program led to the launch of the L/BMT web site www.vch.ca/bmt
accessible to people no matter what their geographic location.
The Krall family has also helped sponsor accommodations for patients and
family members during and after treatment, as well as enabling the purchase of
grocery vouchers, gift cards and Christmas baskets for patients most in need
of financial assistance. These programs enable patients to concentrate on
recovery and not the impact their illness has on their personal finances.

Education and training for staff

The multitude of patient and staff education materials have benefited
staff, patients and families and increased knowledge among all. Staff
excellence has been further fostered through attendance at conferences and
seminars focusing on leading edge care for cancer and leukemia.



For further information: Entertainment publicity: Mima Agozzino,
Publicity, Universal Canada, Tel: (416) 718-4107, Cellular: (416) 568-9653,
Mima.Agozzino@umusic.com; Foundation information: Jon Hicke, Director,
Marketing & Communications, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, Tel: (604)
875-5196, jon.hicke@worldclasshealthcare.ca

[scielle]

Krall plans sparkling event
Benefit to focus on housing for cancer patients' families

Denise Ryan
Vancouver Sun

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Breakfast at Tiffany's -- along with a $53,000 Wisteria diamond necklace, donated by Tiffany's -- is just one of the spectacular items that will be on auction when Diana Krall and her family host their annual fundraiser for blood cancer patients in B.C.

On Feb. 16, Krall will be joined by a stellar lineup of artists including Elton John, James Taylor and her husband Elvis Costello at the invitation-only, black-tie charity event at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

Krall and her family have been deeply committed to funding new research and to supporting the Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Hospital Foundation since her mother, Adella Krall, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1996.

"It was her vision to help patients when she was still in the hospital," said Krall in an interview with The Vancouver Sun.

"I sat on her bed and said, 'Mom, when you get better and if I get successful I will help you do something for others.'"

When her mother passed away in 2002, Krall was already successful -- very successful -- and with that success she has became even more committed to the promise she made her mother.

Although the event has grown to near-legendary proportions (last year Elton John and his partner David Furnish spontaneously offered a week at their estate in Windsor, England for auction), Krall likes to keep the evening small and intimate.

"This event is about people I love and respect. I like the feel of it, and I want to go around to every table, talk to every person there."

It's the kind of evening where anything can happen. "There are always surprises," said Krall with a laugh. "This is the night when Elvis and I are singing and playing piano together. You never know who might show up. It's just really fun, really a celebration."

She works closely with her sister Michelle Krall-Wigmore -- whom she credits as the key organizational force behind the benefits -- to make sure each year's fundraiser is unique and feels like a family event.

The care their mother received at VGH, which included a bone-marrow transplant, allowed her six additional years with her family, and inspired Diana and Michelle to reach out in support of other patients and their families.

"In this benefit we are focused on housing for patients' families," Krall-Wigmore said. "When you receive a bone-marrow transplant in B.C., you have to stay in Vancouver for 100 days of after-care. People are living in RV parks. We've heard stories from nurses who are taking families into their homes because they have nowhere else to go.

"The apartment we rented when my mother was sick was $800 a month," Krall said. "It was a struggle for our family. I was just starting out so it was hard for us too."

The annual event also raises funds for the new Hematology Clinical Trials Unit at VGH, which gives patients access to new treatment options.

The six charity benefits Krall has already thrown have raised nearly $4 million.

"We're really proud to have the help of so many generous people who give their time, talent and expertise to this event, which is really about giving people hope," Krall-Wigmore said.

"Particularly Sam Feldman and Steve Macklam ... have helped elevate this event to one of the premier fundraisers in B.C., as well as all the volunteers at the hospital foundation."

In April, the Krall Centre, a new outpatient facility serving the needs of leukemia patients at VGH, was officially dedicated by Krall and her family.

The unique facility was designed by Sarah Richardson as a home-like space, keeping in mind all aspects of patient healing, from the spiritual to the physical.

dryan@vancouversun.com


http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=f3f27394-5204-432c-81b3-e445c9b76aed

[scielle]

Some coverage already of the Fri. press conference:

http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/2009/02/13/8388046.html

It was one of the worst things that could have happened to Diana Krall when her mother Adella was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable form of cancer that affects the immune system.

However, she and her family have turned their tragedy into hope for other families dealing with cancers of the blood and bone marrow. It was a promise made at her mother’s bedside, says Krall. A bold move, she laughs, considering: “When I first made the promise … I was still borrowing money from my dad.”

However Krall has kept that promise to the tune of $3.9 million, raised at a handful of An Evening with Diana Krall and Friends charity benefits, the seventh of which takes place Monday night and features a sold-out intimate evening with Krall, her husband Elvis Costello, Elton John, James Taylor and her West Vancouver neighbour Sarah McLachlan.

Krall is particularly proud of her and sister Michelle’s effort in the Krall Centre, a “comfortable home away from home” for families battling the disease, at Vancouver General Hospital.

That’s one of the hardest parts for families, she says, especially considering that bone marrow transplant patients have to stay close to the hospital for 100 days after surgery.

“We had to come from Naniamo and it was during tax time and my dad was a chartered accountant. We had to find an apartment in Vancouver and pay for it. It put a huge financial strain on my dad because he had to take time off work,” she says, adding: “And we were just coming from the Island. I can’t even imagine [how people coming from farther away handle it.]

Proceeds from Monday night’s event will benefit a long-term vision to support out-of-town patients and their families.

Some photos:
http://www.vancouversun.com/Gallery+Diana+Krall+charity+benefit+announcement/1288912/story.html

[scielle]

No coverage yet, but here are some pictures:
The boys are so cute!


Jazz singer Diana Krall (second to right) and husband Elvis Costello (right) pose with fellow entertainers (from left) James Taylor, Sarah McLachlan and Elton John at the Diana Krall Hospital Foundation fundraiser in Vancouver, Monday night. The annual fundraiser was held to raise money for B.C. patients with multiple myeloma, leukemia and other blood cancers.
Photograph by: Jeff Vinnick


From left to right: James Taylor, Elvis Costello (holding twin son Frank), Elton John, Diana Krall (holding other twin son Dexter), David Furnish and Sarah McLachlan. The event was a private, invitation-only, black tie charity benefit held at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.
Photograph by: Jeff Vinnick


Left to right: Rob Wigmore, Michelle Krall-Wigmore, James Taylor, Sarah McLachlan, Elton John, Diana Krall, Elvis Costello, Vicki Gabereau and her husband Tom Rowe pose for a group photo.
Photograph by: Jeff Vinnick

[johnfoyle]

http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/News/local/20 ... 21036.html

17 Feb. 09

Local
Krall, McLachlan, Costello dazzle at benefit

By 24 HOURS NEWS SERVICES

If you like star-studded charity extravaganzas, then you would have enjoyed the evening at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on Monday night.

Internationally renowned musicians including Sarah McLachlan, Diana Krall, Elvis Costello and James Taylor entertained 550 guests at the prestigious hotel in an invitation-only, black-tie charity benefit, raising upwards of $2 million in funding for patients with multiple myeloma, leukemia and other blood-related cancers at Vancouver General Hospital.

West Van native McLachlan rolled out a world-debut performance of "Walk on By", a song from her Brazilian-themed, yet-to-be-released album Quiet Nights ( Ms Krall's new album , so surely an incorrect attribution - J.F.), and the whole show was capped by a rousing finale with all four stars on stage together - the first time they've ever performed together live.

Some of the offers on the block were a chance to have one's own lyrics set to music written, performed and recorded by Elton John - which went to two people for $250,000 each - and an all-inclusive seven-night stay for 10 people at Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, courtesy of the Radcliffe Foundation. That offer, which included a night of campfire songs by McLachlan herself, went for $120,000.

Diana Krall's benefit campaign was launched as a token of gratitude to VGH, where her mother Adelle stayed while being treated for multiple myeloma. According to VGH, Adelle enjoyed six additional years of life following her diagnosis in 1996 until her passing in May 2002.

In total, seven charity benefits organized by the Krall family have raised more than $6 million

[scielle]

$2 million! I think that's the most successful one to date. Congratulations to all involved.

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort - isn't that where Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds got married a few months back?

And how tall is Michelle's husband?!

[Bud]

Here's a clip: http://tinyurl.com/dg2e4r

Good news, bad news. Good that there is a clip of acknowledgment, bad that it doesn't ever show Diana!!

[Coda]

Yeah, what's the deal with not showing Diana or Elvis? And Michelle's husband is at least a head taller than Michelle, who is in pretty high spikes.

[scielle]

Here's a link to a MMRF fundraising event from 2005 - lots of pictures of both Diana and Michelle.

http://www.multiplemyeloma.org/events/8.06.26.php

[scielle]

News came out in recent weeks that Canadian actress Lisa Ray has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. You may know her from Deepa Mehta's Bollywood/Hollywood, or the Oscar-nominated Water. She's only 37...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Ray



Think warm thoughts for Lisa everyone!

[scielle]

http://chadwarren604.blogspot.com/2009/11/lucky.html