Robotic Surgery being performed by Dr. Sunil Patel

B'nai Brith Kingston has made a substantial investment in local health care, raising $1.6 million for the robotic surgery program at Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC), through its annual “An Evening With…” fundraiser on Nov. 21.

This is by far the largest amount ever raised in the 20-year history of the event, which attracted approximately 350 people, and featured a Q&A with two-time Olympic gold medalist Andre De Grasse.

“It feels incredible,” says event co-chair Bryon Springer, on behalf of his fellow co-chairs Adam Koven, Douglas Springer and Michael Springer. “It's very humbling and we really feel like our event is a conduit between the generosity of our community and worthwhile causes here in Kingston.”

One of the reasons for the tremendous success was that this year’s event was held in honour of Gregg Rosen—a cancer survivor, Kingston businessman, community leader and B’nai Birth supporter who passed away last year in a boating accident.

The money will be used to establish the B’nai Brith Kingston-Gregg Rosen Innovation Fund for Robotic Surgery, which will support the purchase of a second surgical robot for KHSC. KHSC already has one of the most successful and complex robotic surgery programs in Canada.

“Gregg was all about innovation so he would have loved this and passionately supported it,” says Bryon.

Another key reason for this year’s record-setting event was support from Power of Hope golf tournament co-organizers Mike Laframboise and Sandy Wilson announcing that they would match the money raised at “An Evening With” (up to $500,000). It helped push the evening’s fundraising total from $1.1 million to $1.6 million.

Being one step closer to purchasing a second robotic surgical system (which can cost several million dollars) is great news for patients in southeastern Ontario.

“We are grateful for this support for our community’s health-care system. This generous gift will significantly enhance our ability to provide cutting-edge, minimally invasive procedures, building on the remarkable success of our robotic surgery program, which is already one of the largest and most complex in Canada,” says Dr. David Pichora, President and CEO of KHSC. “Their support ensures that patients across our region have increased access to world-class surgical care, reduced recovery times and improved outcomes.”

Dr. Hugh MacDonald, who spoke at the event about his friend and former patient Gregg Rosen, is also a colorectal surgeon who operates using KHSC’s current surgical robot.

“Speaking from a colorectal cancer point of view, the technology allows us to do our surgeries using minimally invasive approaches, that means very small incisions and very little trauma to the surrounding tissues and organs,” says Dr. MacDonald. “And we've shown that our patients go home earlier, have fewer complications and less readmission events.”

B'nai Brith Kingston has a history of supporting health care. Last year’s “An Evening With” event—featuring four-time Olympic Gold Medalist and Hockey Hall of Fame member Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser—raised $401,800 towards the construction of Kingston’s first residential hospice.

B’nai Brith has also previously supported KHSC’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, renovations to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Urgent Consult Clinic, and research at the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario.