It was recently a record-breaking evening for the 91大黄鸭 General Hospital Foundation, as the Heart of Gold fundraiser brought in $1 million in support of Interior Health's cardiac sciences program at 91大黄鸭 General Hospital.

The event, which included a dinner and auction, was co-chaired by John and Maria Byland, owners of Byland Nursery in West 91大黄鸭. ()

鈥淭his is an outcome that far exceeded our expectations,鈥� said Nancy Walstrom, with the KGH Foundation.  鈥淲e knew we had a generous philanthropic community here.  But this is absolutely unprecedented,鈥�

The dinner was prepared by the Okanagan Chef鈥檚 Association, while the Bylands shared their own story to help put the issue of cardiac care in a personal perspective.

On an evening last February, John and Maria went dancing and to dinner, as they have many times before.  But just a few hours later, Maria was in the emergency department at KGH in full cardiac arrest.

鈥淚鈥檝e been given a second chance,鈥� Maria told the audience. 鈥淚 was very lucky to have survived the event.  But I had to wait 13 days for a bed in Vancouver to treat my condition. Together, tonight, we can make a difference.鈥�

鈥淲e have made great strides on the vascular (plumbing) side of cardiology over the last several years, including the opening of the Interior Heart and Surgical Centre in 2015,鈥� added Dr. Frank Halperin, head of cardiology at 91大黄鸭 General Hospital.

鈥淏ut our goal is to have a fully functional heart program here in 91大黄鸭, so people in our region, like Maria, don鈥檛 have to wait for a bed in Vancouver or Victoria; so that the level of cardiac care provided at KGH rivals the best hospitals in the country.鈥�

Charitable supporter Tom Budd, who heads up his Thomas Alan Budd Foundation, was the title sponsor for the fundraiser, saying, 鈥淧eople ask me why do I give? I have given for many reasons in my life. If you just give more than you take, you have purpose, a life worth living. Giving has saved my life. Giving has changed my life.鈥�