Share on Facebook

$15-Million Donation Launches Research Centre At VGH

March 20, 2009

VANCOUVER – A new, state-of-the-art research centre will be established at Vancouver General Hospital, housing three internationally-recognized research programs and named after Robert H.N. Ho in honour of his $15-million donation, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.

“British Columbia is already an acknowledged international leader in medical research and innovation. The Robert H.N. Ho Research Centre will bolster our ability to recruit and retain scientists and health professionals, and will encourage further discoveries and breakthroughs that save lives,” said Premier Campbell. “I want to thank Mr. Robert Ho for his generous donation, which is helping to make this cutting-edge research facility a reality here at Vancouver General Hospital.”

The seven-storey, 69,350 sq. ft. (6,442 sq.m.) facility will house three of VGH’s key research programs: the Vancouver Prostate Centre at VGH; the Centre for Hip Health and Mobility; and the Ovarian Cancer Research Initiative.

“I have lived my life according to the motto that has guided our family for three generations, ‘Before you receive, you must first give,’” said Mr. Ho. “This gift was inspired by my friendship with VGH’s Dr. Anthony Fung, who convinced me to contribute to these important research projects. I am proud to play a part in helping improve the lives of people from across B.C. and around the world.”

The Robert H.N. Ho Research Centre will house hundreds of scientists and clinicians pioneering new treatments and cures for patients with prostate and ovarian cancers, as well as hip and mobility issues. Mr. Ho’s gift will also fund enhancements in the cardiac investigation and intervention unit, including new equipment and research to improve cardiac care for patients in British Columbia and around the world.

The donation paves the way for access to further funds including the BC Knowledge Development Fund and federal funds including the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). The cost to build the new research centre is approximately $41.5 million with a total cost including personnel and equipment of more than $60 million. The total provincial government contribution to the new research centre through BCKDF and the Ministry of Health Services is more than $22 million.

“The future of specialized health care in British Columbia depends on donors like Mr. Robert Ho,” said Ron Dumouchelle, president and CEO of the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. “VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation thanks Mr. Ho for his generosity and leadership to help meet the growing need for complex care at our hospitals for people from across our province.”

Mr. Ho is well known for his global philanthropic vision and leadership. He is the chairman of The Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation and of Tung Lin Kok Yuen Canada Foundation, and has made a number of significant gifts to organizations around the world including Colgate University in New York; Hong Kong University; the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England; Stanford University; and the University of British Columbia. Mr. Ho has also previously supported cardiology equipment and patient care at VGH.

“Today’s announcement is a powerful example of what can be achieved through partnerships,” said Dr. Eliot Phillipson, president and CEO of the Canada Foundation for Innovation. “The Robert H.N. Ho Research Centre will help ensure Canada’s ongoing leadership in research and innovation, and the CFI is extremely proud to be a partner in this exciting project.”

“The researchers at our hospitals are known around the world for medical research that is changing the lives of patients today and offering new hope for the future,” said Dr. Grady Meneilly, head of the Department of Medicine at VGH and UBC. “The new Robert H.N. Ho Research Centre will be a tremendous resource for our province, providing new space for researchers, who in turn will develop new breakthroughs to ensure British Columbia remains at the vanguard of medical discovery and innovation for years to come.”

In honour of Mr. Ho’s generosity, the new building will be officially known as the Robert H.N. Ho Research Centre and will be built across from the Jim Pattison Pavilion at VGH, located at Laurel Street and West 10th Avenue. When building commences this summer, it is expected to create more than 250 new construction jobs.

The VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is a registered charity raising funding for the latest, most sophisticated medical equipment, world-class research and improvements to patient care for VGH, UBC Hospital, GF Strong Rehab Centre and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute. For nearly 30 years, the Foundation and its donors have been a bridge between the essential health care that governments provide and the most advanced health care possible.
New Years Video
Must See New Years Video
Must See - Year End Video
As part of her commitment to open government, Premier Christy Clark released this year‐end video detailing the challenges and successes of the past year and a look at the year ahead.
BC Liberals deliver on Jobs, Families and Open Government
We have accomplished a lot during this Fall Legislative Session, including:
Video: Premier Christy Clark on Voice of BC
Must see video of Premier Christy Clark on Voice of BC as she answers the tough questions
B.C's impaired driving laws working: 45 lives saved
B.C.'s first year with Canada's toughest roadside penalties for impaired driving saw alcohol-related motor vehicle deaths reduced by 40 per cent, Premier Christy Clark announced, the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims in Canada.
Premier Christy Clark's Mandate for Open Government: Creating Municipal Auditor General to Ensure Family Tax Dollars Spent Wisely
Getting the most value for money will be easier for local governments now that the Province is introducing legislation to establish an Office of the Auditor General for Local Government (AGLG), announced Premier Christy Clark today.
British Columbians continue to light up the phone lines at 8-1-1, with almost 34,000 smokers calling for help to quit.
$353-million school capital plan announced. Students to Benefit.
Students will benefit from new or expanded schools, as the Province rolls out a $353-million school capital plan.
BC LIBERAL PARTY NEWSLETTER
Keeping you informed is continuing our commitment to openness and to engaging our grassroots members. Today, we want to highlight how the new Canada Starts Here: BC Jobs Plan is working.
Polak to Cummins – Get the Facts
John Cummins has demonstrated yet again he lacks a basic understanding of the issues. Cummins' claim that the new Teachers Act enshrines the British Columbia Teachers Federation's influence over teacher discipline is wrong.
British Columbia Can’t Afford Adrian Dix, New Website Launched
A new website has been launched to inform British Columbians about Adrian Dix, the chief architect of the disastrous ‘90s and BC NDP leader. The new website, www.CantAffordDix.ca details Adrian Dix’s reckless funding promises to increase government spending in British Columbia by over $15 billion and his devastating track record from the '90s.
Premier Christy Clark's Quarterly Web Report
Premier Christy Clark's Web Report
John Cummins Says Voters Should “Think Twice” About Supporting the NDP – Even Though He Voted for Them
Today in the Vancouver Province John Cummins engaged in the kind of double-talk that characterizes his approach to politics.
A Message from Barry Penner
Spending more time at home this summer, and going on short hikes with my young family in recent weeks, has reminded me how much this job takes me away from home. Now that I have a beautiful wife and a baby daughter, being away is a price paid not just by myself, but by those I love the most.
BC Liberals are the choice to stop NDP
The election of John Cummins as leader of the BC Conservatives is a signal to British Columbians who support a free enterprise coalition on the need to focus on stopping the NDP from returning the province to have-not status.
Premier Christy Clark To Seek Nomination in Vancouver-Point Grey
Premier Christy Clark announced today her intention to seek the BC Liberal nomination in the riding of Vancouver-Point Grey for a Provincial by-election that must be called by September 15th.
Thank you for being part of history
A personal message from new party leader and Premier-Designate Christy Clark to supporters.
Party Gains Strength in Numbers, Membership Nearly Triples
The BC Liberal Party has signed up over 50,000 new members since the start of the Leadership Race, showing British Columbians are excited about the candidates and the ideas they have brought forward over the last few months.
Fast Facts: The BC Liberals Leadership Race
On February 26th, BC Liberal members will select the next leader of our Party and the next Premier of British Columbia. Here are the fast facts you need to know.
BC Liberals Select Leadership Vote Method, Set Remote Locations to Determine Vote Process
The BC Liberal Party Provincial Executive has unanimously endorsed the use of online and phone voting for members to cast ballots for the Party’s upcoming February 26th Leadership Vote.
BC Liberal Party Appoints Chad Pederson as New Executive Director
The BC Liberal Party announced today that Chad Pederson has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the BC Liberal Party.
Party Sets Leadership Vote for February 26, 2011
The BC Liberal Party Provincial Executive has passed a motion calling for the party's province-wide Leadership Vote to be held Saturday, February 26, 2011.
Party Moves to Modernize Leadership Vote, Call Conventions
The BC Liberal Party Provincial Executive has passed a unanimous motion calling an extraordinary convention of the party to modernize the Party's leadership vote process.
14,000 Individuals, Small Business Support BC Liberals in 2009 Campaign
Almost 14,000 individual contributors stepped up to support the BC Liberal Party in the first five months of 2009, BC Liberal Director of Communications & Membership Services Chad Pederson said today upon the public release of the party’s election financing report by Elections BC.
British Columbians Choose BC Liberals to Lead Province Forward
Premier Gordon Campbell thanked supporters, candidates and all British Columbians last night for electing a BC Liberal government to a third term.
British Columbians Unite To 'Get Out the Vote'
Premier Gordon Campbell led British Columbians today in making a mass, simultaneous digital push to get out the vote for the provincial election on Tuesday, May 12.
Premier Urges Youth to Connect and ‘Get out the Vote’
Premier Gordon Campbell urged over 1,200 under-40 professionals attending a networking event tonight to join him in making Canada’s largest-ever call to ‘get out the vote’ for the May 12 provincial election.
NDP Confirms Reckless Economic Plan
At a time when British Columbians are concerned about their jobs, NDP leader Carole James failed to put forth a single new idea in the televised leaders’ debate this evening. Instead, James continued to re-iterate the same unfocused, reckless and confused job-killing policies.
Twenty Questions for Carole James
The revelation that NDP candidate Doug Routley was under investigation by the RCMP and a special prosecutor earlier this year is raising serious questions for NDP leader Carole James.
NDP Tries to Cover Up Negative Ad Campaign
The NDP removed their party logo and branding from at least two U.S.-style attack advertisements currently running on television in their continued attempt to cover up their negative campaign strategy from voters, says Minister Mike de Jong.
The BC Liberal Plan to Keep BC Strong
VANCOUVER– Premier Gordon Campbell today released the BC Liberal's election platform to move B.C. forward with proven leadership, prudent management and targeted investments that will create jobs and build stability and confidence in the provincial economy.
Economy the Focus as Campaign Begins
With the issuing of the election writ today, B.C. voters will now decide on May 12 who is best to lead British Columbia forward through difficult economic times.
NDP MLA Says Port Mann to be Put On Hold
Individual Contributors Rise by Over 20,000 for BC Liberals in 2008
Over 20,000 new individual contributors donated to the BC Liberal Party in 2008, an increase of 559% since 2007, showing incredible new support and momentum moving into the 2009 election campaign.
Canada-BC Partnership To Expand Transit & Create Jobs
VANCOUVER –Lower Mainland transit users will benefit from SkyTrain and West Coast Express enhancements, thanks to a partnership between the Government of Canada, the Province of B.C. and TransLink, announced Premier Gordon Campbell, Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, and TransLink Chair Dale Parker.
$15-Million Donation Launches Research Centre At VGH
VANCOUVER – A new, state-of-the-art research centre will be established at Vancouver General Hospital, housing three internationally-recognized research programs and named after Robert H.N. Ho in honour of his $15-million donation, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.
NDP Spin Machine Kicks into Overdrive
The NDP’s misinformation campaign really kicked into high gear this week with the launch of a series of glossy videos starring Carole James that are high on rhetoric and dishonesty, and shockingly low on concrete ideas from the NDP.
Open Platform Asks British Columbians to Help Keep BC Strong
British Columbians can take an active role in keeping B.C. strong by helping shape the policies and priorities of the BC Liberal Party for the 2009 provincial election through Canada’s first ‘Open Platform’, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.
A Tribute to Andrew Mak
Andrew Mak, BC Liberals Candidate for Vancouver-Hastings, passed away suddenly on Saturday afternoon. Andrew was a community volunteer who dedicated his life to serving the citizens of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Top BC Liberal Highlights of 2008
This past year brought a number of successes that British Columbians can be proud of as we enter a New Year. Here's a selection of some of the best from 2008.
New Steps to Help Homeowners, Seniors & Rural Residents
Premier Gordon Campbell has outlined several new measures that the Province will take to help B.C. homeowners, seniors and rural residents during these turbulent economic times.
Photo Contest: B.C. Through Your Eyes
The BC Liberal Party is inviting all supporters to take part in our photo contest, B.C. Through Your Eyes.
BC Liberal Platform - A Proven Plan For A Golden Decade
BC Liberal Platform - A Proven Plan For A Golden Decade
Stephanie Cadieux joins the BC Liberal Team in Surrey-Panorama
Stephanie Cadieux, a well respected disability activist, business and community service leader will be representing the BC Liberals as the candidate in the riding of Surrey – Panorama in the 2009 election.
Individuals & Small Business Form Foundation of BC Liberals Contributors in 2006
April 4, 2007 VANCOUVER - Individuals and small business dominate the fully disclosed list of BC Liberal contributors for 2006, BC Liberal Director of Communications & Membership Services Chad Pederson said today.
BC Liberals Hold 16% Lead Over NDP, Premier Campbell's Popularity at 5-year High
A new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid Public Affairs (taken June 7th to 11th, 2006) shows that
Support for BC Liberals Continues to Grow
A new poll conducted by Ipsos Reid Public Affairs (taken April 4th to 10th, 2007) shows that the BC Liberal government and Premier Gordon Campbell are enjoying their best approval ratings since they were first elected in 2001.
Individual & Small Business Contributors Lead the Way for BC Liberals in 2007
Individuals and small business contributors once again lead the way in the fully disclosed list of BC Liberal contributors for 2007.
Support for BC Liberals Jumps to 54%
A new poll conducted by Mustel Group Market Research (taken April 27th to May 4th) shows that support for the BC Liberals has increased dramatically over the past few months, rising to 54%.
Individuals Dominate BC Liberal Contributors in 2005
Individuals made up a full eighty-two percent of the contributors to the BC Liberal Party in 2005.
BC Liberals Work to Match NDP Friends' War Chest
Unions running negative attack ad campaigns on behalf of the NDP made up over half of all “election advertisers
2005 Leaders' Debate
BC Liberal Platform Details Five Great Goals for B.C.
The BC Liberals’ platform details the specific commitments and actions the government will take to achieve five great goals for British Columbians.
Wally Oppal Joins List of Prominent BC Liberal Candidates
B.C. Appeal Court Justice Wally Oppal announced Friday he will seek the BC Liberal Nomination in Vancouver-Fraserview. Click
Carole Taylor to Seek BC Liberal Nomination in Vancouver-Langara
Carole Taylor, well-known and nationally respected Chair of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has announced her intention to seek the BC Liberal nomination in Vancouver-Langara.
Premier Helps Open Vancouver-Point Grey Campaign Office
Over 150 enthusiastic supporters turned out to help Premier Gordon Campbell officially open his Vancouver-Point Grey Campaign Office.
BC Liberal Policies Suit Daniel Igali’s Social Commitment
About 250 enthusiastic supporters cheered Daniel Igali as he announced his candidacy for the BC Liberal nomination in Surrey Newton on Feb. 10.
Olympic Gold Medallist Igali to Run for BC Liberals in Surrey Newton
Olympic gold medallist Daniel Igali will seek the BC Liberal Nomination in the riding of Surrey-Newton for the upcoming provincial election.
Premier Christy Clark - Jobs
Premier Christy Clark talks about changing how government works in British Columbia to create jobs and opportunities.
Premier Christy Clark - Restoring Public Trust
Premier Christy Clark talks about changing how government works in British Columbia to restore public trust and engage with citizens.
Revealing the real John Cummins
Today, the BC Liberal Party launched a campaign to let British Columbians know who the real John Cummins is, said Langley MLA Mary Polak.
Cummins Out of Left Field
VANCOUVER – There's out of touch, and then there's out of left field. But John Cummins’ comments criticizing the BC Jobs Plan show he’s completely left the ballpark.



Authorized By Jim Pipe, Financial Agent BC Liberal Party.
Tel: 604.606.6000, 1.800.567.2257