Diana, Elvis, Elton, Tony and... Bill!

[scielle]

Diana Krall leads charity event for VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation to benefit drive for 'made-in-B.C. cures' for blood-related cancers
Diana to be joined by friends Tony Bennett, Elton John, husband Elvis
Costello and former U.S. President William J. Clinton

VANCOUVER, March 7 /CNW/ - Diana Krall and some of the world's most noted
performers and humanitarians will focus the spotlight on fundraising for
VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation to help pioneer "made-in-B.C. cures" for
blood-related cancers and diseases at Vancouver General Hospital. Diana will
be joined by her friends Tony Bennett, Elton John, husband Elvis Costello and
former U.S. President William J. Clinton at a private sold-out black tie
charity benefit concert and auction at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver on
Sunday, April 23, 2006.
"Care and hope is what we all want to provide for our loved ones," says
Diana Krall. "I'm forever grateful for the tremendous care my mother Adella
received through the Leukemia and Bone Marrow Transplant Program. I'm proud
our efforts will support the vision of the talented team at VGH to find a cure
and bring hope to families everywhere."
"We are extremely fortunate to benefit from the leadership of the Krall
family and the support of Diana's husband and friends. We are at a critical
juncture to establish our hospital as a recognized world leader in hematology
through the creation of a new unique Hematology Clinical Trials Unit at VGH,"
says Dr. Mike Barnett, Head of the VGH and UBC Divisions of Hematology. "This
charity benefit helps propel us forward to deliver unmatched care for people
from across our province while bolstering our drive to pioneer 'made-in-B.C.
cures' for blood diseases."
"It's a true honour for us to receive such enormous support from such a
talented, prestigious and giving group of individuals," says Ron Dumouchelle,
President and CEO, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. "Our Foundation is grateful
to Diana and her family and friends, who are helping the world-renowned health
care professionals at our hospitals go from strength to strength and advance
world-class health care for people in British Columbia."
The Division of Hematology and the Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant
(L/BMT) Program of British Columbia is world-renowned for its care for people
from across B.C. with cancers of the blood such as leukemia and multiple
myeloma.
The charity benefit is a heartfelt expression of the Krall family's
thanks to the wonderful care her mother received through the L/BMT Program at
VGH. Adella Krall, 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. Diana's previous five
benefit concerts have collectively raised more than $1.3 million - helping to
purchase the latest, most advanced medical equipment, to support patient
comfort needs and to assist out-of-town L/BMT patients. Since Adella's passing
in May 2002, the Krall family has continued to demonstrate its commitment to
VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. It is the family's desire to help others living
with multiple myeloma to have the best care possible, to celebrate Adella's
vision of helping L/BMT patients and their families and ultimately, to
contribute to finding a cure.
VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is a registered charity that raises funding
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.
Donations in support of patient care and research may be sent to VGH &
UBC Hospital Foundation, 855 West 12th Ave. Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9 or by
calling (604) 875-4676 or made on-line at www.supportvgh.ca


Background on blood-related cancers
and the Hematology Clinical Trials Unit at VGH

Cancers arising from the blood or bone marrow cells include multiple
myeloma and the various types of leukemia. People with blood or bone marrow
cancers experience a range of symptoms. For example, 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.

The Vision: "Made in B.C." cures

Leading-edge work is being done in patient care at VGH. With the
Hematology Clinical Trials Unit in place, B.C. patients will be able to
participate in clinical trials of the latest treatments developed in-house at
VGH, accessing new, effective, and less-toxic therapies long before they are
widely available. Ultimately, the vision is to find a cure for blood diseases
here in B.C.
The Division of Hematology plans to build on its strengths to become a
national and international leader in bringing new treatments to patients as
quickly as possible. One of the main obstacles to the progress of promising
new treatments is the amount of time required to take protocols through the
necessary approval process, manage documents such as consent forms, monitor
patients on treatment as well as collect and evaluate data. The Clinical
Trials Unit will provide the support needed to speed up this process.
Implementation of the Hematology Clinical Trials Unit began with the
recruitment of key research staff in the fall of 2005, thanks to the generous
support of donors and further bolstered by the Diana Krall & Friends Charity
Benefit. A further investment of $6 million is required to increase research
capacity by purchasing equipment and technology, hiring additional research
staff, establishing fellowships, and attracting a leading researcher to hold
the position of Director, Thrombosis. This fundraising goal includes an
endowment to ensure sustainability of the Clinical Trials Unit.
In the summer of 2006, the unit will be moved to a new location in the
Ambulatory Care Centre, currently under construction at Oak Street and West
12th Avenue.


http://www.supportvgh.ca/index.cfm?fuseaction=pub.myDocumentViewer&type=newsletter&childId=176&skin=InTheNews

[Coda]

I think the addition of Bill Clinton to the "line up" will give this event even more publicity. Way to go, everyone!

[jazzanddianafan]

You know, regardless of your political affiliation, I must say that ole' Bill is getting around alot lately (as former Presidents tend to do after leaving office).... my younger brother landed the position of head of maintenance for a new industrial complex built in So Cal by Tiger Woods and at the 'grand opening' guess who he had a chance to shake hands with ?????...... none other than our illustrious - and maybe even infamous - former President Bill !!!

My two cents on the gala is just that it is kind of too bad that it has become such a big event now that regular fans who might want to support the foundation are kind of 'out of the loop' when it comes to getting tickets. I totally understand and support the fact that now they are raising a lot more money for a great cause..... however, personally, it has been a long time fantasy of mine to be able to attend this gala and it is getting more and more out of reach...... I can and do support the foundation in other ways, so I guess that will suffice..... I really do wish them a great event ........

[scielle]

Gala fundraiser to establish cancer drug trials unit
Pamela Fayerman
Vancouver Sun
Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Tickets averaging $1,650 each are sold out for performer Diana Krall's April soiree with former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Elton John, Tony Bennett and Elvis Costello -- an event being used as a springboard to establish the first clinical drug trials unit in Canada for patients with blood and bone marrow cancers.

Clinton, a friend of Krall's, will make a speech about philanthropy at the April 23 Fairmont Hotel event, while the other guests, including Costello -- Krall's husband -- will sing. Krall headlines the annual black-tie event in memory of her mother. It is expected to raise $1 million, which will serve as seed money for a $7-million research unit to test experimental drugs.

Full article

[verena]

Bill Clinton is not infamous Jazzanddianafan, or is he ? He didn't do anything horrendous, just something stupid and then communicated disastrously about it. Why didn't he just say "yeah, I have been bad... it's my private life but OK I'm sorry... look I'm just human, you know what I mean... so, can I go back to work now ?"

Outside the U.S. most people just had a good laugh. As President he didn't do a bad job at all. Did Europe regret him... Last year I heard that he might be considered for the position of Secretary General of the U.N. Dunno if that could happen. But I would love that. He is a smart guy, could shake that obese organization, kick the U.S and others when they misbehave, he could do a few good things and all that would be very entertaining. And then guys, if Hillary was elected President, then it would be hilarious, the international community would have the time of its life !

[Victoria]

Bill Clinton is not infamous Jazzanddianafan, or is he ? He didn't do anything horrendous, just something stupid and then communicated disastrously about it. Why didn't he just say "yeah, I have been bad... it's my private life but OK I'm sorry... look I'm just human, you know what I mean... so, can I go back to work now ?" Mr. Green
Outside the U.S. most people just had a good laugh. As President he didn't do a bad job at all.

I agree. I really liked Bill Clinton as your president. Bill is a just a human being who's been caught being human. I don't see anything human/e in Bush's policy . Maybe there's a moral here : sexual release is better for the world. If Presidents got laid more often, there wouldn't be so many bombings in innocent far-away countries .

[jazzfan422]

Bush is well talented in that department as he does that to us on a daily basis!!!

[Victoria]

Bush is well talented in that department as he does that to us on a daily basis!!!

he he! Good one !

[imnoangel1975]

sexual release is better for the world. If Presidents got laid more often, there wouldn't be so many bombings in innocent far-away countries .

I always say, "a happy president is a GOOD president". We need more BJ's in the oval office!

[verena]

I didn't think of that but you may have a point there, NoAnge. However, there would be a question of the degree of happiness that would be appropriate. I mean, for instance how good a President was JFK ?

[FrimFramMan]

...just for the record, JFK was a so-so President.
In fact-he was in political trouble with his southern base (in those days
Dems won in the South), hence the trip to Dallas.
After he was assassinated, he was turned into a larger-than-life figure; LBJ hitchhiked on JFK's name and got himself elected.
As mundane as Kennedy's administration was, Clinton's (aside from
scandal) was of less achievement; though both are lionized overseas and by
the American left...

[imnoangel1975]

Leftist and proud!

[verena]

Frim Fram, what you say is sort of what I meant. That JFK was not so great.

I was just being bitchy... Once in a while it feels good.

[Victoria]

That JFK was not so great.

Wasn't JFK's policy positive in terms of being in favour of the civil rights of minorities and african american people? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that his presidency is a milestone in US history.

[verena]

Absolutely. I agree.

Victoria, I was merely joking about the dark side of the man.

[Victoria]

Victoria, I was merely joking about the dark side of the man.

It's ok. I knew you were .
EEEVERYONE HAS A DARK SIDE .... even Mother Theresa must have had her bitchy moments.

Now I'm being bitchy.

[fore15]

HEY HEY HEY....what happen to no political gab in here????...I guess when a Conservative (that's me) starts putting my 2 cents in here (like a while ago) some moderator has to re-instate the rules. Just want to say Clinton sucked!!!..he let Osama go!!! (i guess he was too busy w/some whore).

[imnoangel1975]

fore,
First you say "leave the politics out" and then you turn around and start in on Clinton and "some whore". Best heed your own advice, my friend.

[Coda]

I'm curious what it means to be "conservative" in America these days. Does it still mean fiscal prudence and balanced budgets? Not trying to be the world's police force? Limiting the government's reach into people's personal and private lives? Saving our parks and resources (as in the meaning of the word "conservation") a la Teddy Roosevelt?

Anyway, see what publicity Bill is getting for his gig already!

[jazzfan422]

What the Oval Office really needs is a big, big bowl of pretzles!!!....Maybe this time we'll get lucky!!!