Latest news with #DilawriCardiovascularInstitute
Vancouver Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- Vancouver Sun
Dilawri Foundation makes historic $60-million donation to VGH, UBC
Four and a half years ago, Ajay Dilawri's father, Ram Dilawri, began experiencing heart troubles. The Dilawris, founders of Dilawri Automotive Group, the largest automotive dealership in Canada, immediately began consulting with experts at leading heart institutes across the U.S. and around the world, most of whom recommended complex open-heart surgery. 'My father was looking for another, less-frightening option,' said Dilawri. Then they heard about Dr. David Wood, head of the division of cardiology at Vancouver General Hospital and the UBC Hospital. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'We heard that if anyone could save my father's life without open heart surgery, it would be him.' Wood saved his father's life, according to Dilwari, and compelled the family to 'pay that gratitude forward'. And so, on Thursday, a record $60-million donation to the VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation to establish the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute was announced. The donation, a gift from the Dilawri Automotive Group's charitable foundation, is the largest in VGH and UBC Hospital history, and will fund the new institute, led by Wood. 'Like so many families, ours has been personally touched by heart disease,' said Dilawri. 'It's a cause that hits close to home.' Wood's vision, of a leading cardiovascular institute in Vancouver, was bold. 'Why can't we create the Mayo Clinic of the North right here in Vancouver?' Wood said at Thursday's event. Some $35 million of the donation will be dedicated to help fund a proposed new multi-use tower at Oak Street and West 12th Avenue, and $25 million will be available immediately for an innovation fund to establish a national cardiovascular research and clinical care network with partner sites throughout Europe and the U.S. Wood said the institute will have 15 centres that will be ready to treat patients immediately, and will include centres for Indigenous heart health, women's heart health, youth heart health, and core research areas such as a centre for AI, data science and imaging, as well as the centre for cardiovascular innovation. 'We are going to transform how we care for patients. Replacing heart valves on patients, and going home three hours later — using new technologies to treat heart rhythm problems before they become permanent, so you can go on to live a long and healthy life, minimally invasive heart surgery using robots and small incisions,' said Wood. Wood said the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute will function on a 'hub and spoke' model, with research and treatment partnerships across North America and Europe, and will 'disrupt' the long distance between research and the implementation of new treatments. The donation is also the largest in the history of the Dilawri Foundation, which has supported Hospital For Sick Kids in Toronto since 2012 through the Dilawri Patient Amenities Endowment Fund, and the Dilawri Patients, Populations and Policy Research Neighbourhood. Patriarch Ram Dilawri, a trained mechanic, immigrated to Canada in the 1980s, where he did a number of jobs while bringing up three sons including Ajay, who was born and raised in Ottawa. The three brothers, Kap, Tony and Ajay, were entrepreneurial, and got their first opportunity in business in 1984 when they purchased a Honda dealership in Regina with their father. The dealership had a service station and a tiny two-car showroom, but became the jumping-off point for the Dilawri Group of Companies. The Dilwaris established themselves in B.C. in 2010 when they took ownership of Vancouver's first Porsche dealership and service centre at 1718 West 3rd Ave. In 2013, they acquired Vancouver Honda, located at 850 S.W. Marine Dr., a move that made them the largest Honda dealer in Canada. Dilawri is now Canada's largest automotive company, with 4,000 employees and 76 automotive dealerships across Canada, and employs more than 2,000 people at 24 dealerships in B.C. In 2018, the Dilawri Foundation committed $5 million to the Vancouver Public Library Foundation, which was at the time, the largest-ever donation to a public library in Canada. Since 2018, it has also supported the Sarah McLachlan School of Music in East Vancouver. dryan@
Vancouver Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- Vancouver Sun
Dilawri Foundation makes historic donation to VGH, UBC
Four and a half years ago, Ajay Dilawri's father, Ram Dilawri, began experiencing heart troubles. The Dilawris, founders of Dilawri Automotive Group, the largest automotive dealership in Canada, immediately began consulting with experts at leading heart institutes across the U.S. and around the world, most of whom recommended complex open-heart surgery. 'My father was looking for another, less-frightening option,' said Dilawri. Then they heard about Dr. David Wood, head of the division of cardiology at Vancouver General Hospital and the UBC Hospital. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'We heard that if anyone could save my father's life without open heart surgery, it would be him.' Wood saved his father's life, according to Dilwari, and compelled the family to 'pay that gratitude forward'. And so, on Thursday, a record $60-million donation to the VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation to establish the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute was announced. The donation, a gift from the Dilawri Automotive Group's charitable foundation, is the largest in VGH and UBC Hospital history, and will fund the new institute, led by Wood. 'Like so many families, ours has been personally touched by heart disease,' said Dilawri. 'It's a cause that hits close to home.' Wood's vision, of a leading cardiovascular institute in Vancouver, was bold. 'Why can't we create the Mayo Clinic of the North right here in Vancouver?' Wood said at Thursday's event. Some $35 million of the donation will be dedicated to help fund a proposed new multi-use tower at Oak Street and West 12th Avenue, and $25 million will be available immediately for an innovation fund to establish a national cardiovascular research and clinical care network with partner sites throughout Europe and the U.S. Wood said the institute will have 15 centres that will be ready to treat patients immediately, and will include centres for Indigenous heart health, women's heart health, youth heart health, and core research areas such as a centre for AI, data science and imaging, as well as the centre for cardiovascular innovation. 'We are going to transform how we care for patients. Replacing heart valves on patients, and going home three hours later — using new technologies to treat heart rhythm problems before they become permanent, so you can go on to live a long and healthy life, minimally invasive heart surgery using robots and small incisions,' said Wood. Wood said the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute will function on a 'hub and spoke' model, with research and treatment partnerships across North America and Europe, and will 'disrupt' the long distance between research and the implementation of new treatments. The donation is also the largest in the history of the Dilawri Foundation, which has supported Hospital For Sick Kids in Toronto since 2012 through the Dilawri Patient Amenities Endowment Fund, and the Dilawri Patients, Populations and Policy Research Neighbourhood. Patriarch Ram Dilawri, a trained mechanic, immigrated to Canada in the 1980s, where he did a number of jobs while bringing up three sons including Ajay, who was born and raised in Ottawa. The three brothers, Kap, Tony and Ajay, were entrepreneurial, and got their first opportunity in business in 1984 when they purchased a Honda dealership in Regina with their father. The dealership had a service station and a tiny two-car showroom, but became the jumping-off point for the Dilawri Group of Companies. The Dilwaris established themselves in B.C. in 2010 when they took ownership of Vancouver's first Porsche dealership and service centre at 1718 West 3rd Ave. In 2013, they acquired Vancouver Honda, located at 850 S.W. Marine Dr., a move that made them the largest Honda dealer in Canada. Dilawri is now Canada's largest automotive company, with 4,000 employees and 76 automotive dealerships across Canada, and employs more than 2,000 people at 24 dealerships in B.C. In 2018, the Dilawri Foundation committed $5 million to the Vancouver Public Library Foundation, which was at the time, the largest-ever donation to a public library in Canada. Since 2018, it has also supported the Sarah McLachlan School of Music in East Vancouver. dryan@
Cision Canada
4 days ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
Dilawri Foundation Makes Historic $60 Million Gift to Revolutionize Heart Care
The Dilawri Foundation has made a record $60 million donation to establish the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute (DCI) on the campus of Vancouver General Hospital (VGH), the largest hospital in British Columbia. Led by Dr. David Wood, Head of Cardiology at VGH and UBC Hospital, the new Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute is embedded within the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, one of the top-funded research institutes in Canada. This transformative gift, the largest in the history of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, is unique as $35 million will help fund a proposed new multi-use tower at the corner of Oak Street and West 12 th Avenue and $25 million is for an unprecedented Innovation Fund. Building on Vancouver's global reputation, the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute will use the Innovation Fund to achieve its goal of becoming a national cardiovascular hub and one of the world's leading cardiovascular institutes. This will be accomplished by establishing a cardiovascular research and clinical care network with partner sites throughout North America and Europe and by recruiting the best clinicians and scientists from Canada and around the globe. Since 2002, the Dilawri Foundation — the philanthropic outreach of the Dilawri Group of Companies, Canada's largest automotive group — has contributed millions of dollars to health care, education, and social-impact initiatives. The Foundation is committed to making a lasting difference in the lives of Canadians by advancing health care, education, and social services across the country. This $60 million donation represents the Foundation's largest gift since its inception. VANCOUVER, BC, June 5, 2025 /CNW/ - In a landmark announcement, the Dilawri Foundation has made a record-setting $60 million philanthropic gift to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation to establish the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute (DCI) on the Vancouver General Hospital campus. "For our family, this is about bringing our values of compassion and community to life through meaningful investments that allow us to give back in a lasting way," said Ajay Dilawri, Co-founder of both the Dilawri Foundation and Dilawri. "We're honoured to support the exceptional team at Vancouver General Hospital and help advance a future where everyone in British Columbia — and beyond — has access to world-class cardiac care. Our goal is to help establish a global centre of excellence that will set a new benchmark for cardiac innovation and treatment. We hope this gift will help improve health care and quality of life on a broader scale." The gift also represents a major milestone in the mission of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, which plays a critical role in enabling innovation, recruiting top talent, and helping the people of British Columbia have access to the best care possible. As the leading charity investing in health care innovation in the province, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation connects visionary donors with world-class health care teams to help build healthier communities across British Columbia. By supporting Vancouver General Hospital, UBC Hospital, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, and Vancouver Community Health Services, the Foundation plays an essential role in fueling groundbreaking research, cutting-edge technology, and life-saving care. "This is a truly historic moment for health care philanthropy in Canada," said Angela Chapman, President and CEO of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. "The Dilawri Foundation's extraordinary generosity will help Vancouver and British Columbia attract and retain world-leading clinicians and researchers from Canada and around the globe. It will allow the talented specialists at VGH to accelerate discoveries and translate them into better patient care and outcomes for the people of British Columbia and beyond. Inspired by a first-hand experience of the specialized care provided at VGH, this is an incredible act of gratitude and philanthropy." The new Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute will be led by Dr. David Wood, a world-renowned structural and interventional cardiologist and Head of the Division of Cardiology at VGH and UBC Hospital. "Our clinicians and researchers are focused on using new technology and discoveries to improve access to care, shorten wait times, improve outcomes, and decrease recovery times. We have already taught centres throughout North America and around the globe how to replace heart valves in under 30 minutes so patients can go home the same day, or how to treat heart rhythm problems sooner — long before any cardiac damage becomes permanent," said Dr. David Wood. He added: "I am so incredibly proud of the amazing work our investigators have already accomplished. The new infrastructure and Innovation Fund will allow us to fulfill our goal: to become one of the leading cardiovascular institutes in the world. Our goal is to help patients live longer, symptom-free lives thanks to the disruptive innovation made possible by the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute." "The Dilawri Foundation's visionary support will have a profound and lasting impact on heart health for generations to come. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality, innovative health care, and this investment will enable us to continue our goal of providing leading-edge cardiac medicine, contributing to the global advancement of this field," said Vivian Eliopoulos, President and CEO, Vancouver Coastal Health. "Our family has been deeply moved by the incredible care, expertise, and compassion we've received from the team at Vancouver General Hospital," said Kap Dilawri, Co-founder of both the Dilawri Foundation and Dilawri. "We believe the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute will have a profound and lasting impact on patients, families, and communities — not only in Vancouver but also globally." To learn more about the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute, visit About VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is Vancouver Coastal Health's primary philanthropic partner, raising funds for specialized adult health care services and research for all people living in British Columbia. As the leading charity investing in health care innovation in British Columbia, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation partners with donors to raise essential funds for Vancouver Coastal Health, supporting VGH, UBC Hospital, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, and Vancouver Community Health Services. To learn more about VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, visit About Dilawri Privately owned and operated since 1984, Dilawri continues to build on its legacy as Canada's largest automotive group. While its roots are firmly planted in automotive retail, Dilawri has expanded its portfolio through a dedicated investment division with strategic interests in real estate and a range of diversified holdings. Dilawri is committed to leadership in the communities it serves as well as in business. Through the Dilawri Foundation, established in 2002, the company has contributed millions of dollars to a wide range of charitable causes. To learn more about Dilawri, visit About Vancouver Coastal Health Vancouver Coastal Health is committed to delivering exceptional care to 1.25 million people, including the First Nations, Métis and Inuit, within the traditional territories of the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo-Xai'xais, Lil'wat, Musqueam, N'Quatqua, Nuxalk, Samahquam, shíshálh, Skatin, Squamish, Tla'amin, Tsleil-Waututh, Wuikinuxv, and Xa'xtsa. To learn more about Vancouver Coastal Health, visit
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Dilawri Foundation Makes Historic $60 Million Gift to Revolutionize Heart Care
The Dilawri Foundation has made a record $60 million donation to establish the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute (DCI) on the campus of Vancouver General Hospital (VGH), the largest hospital in British Columbia. Led by Dr. David Wood, Head of Cardiology at VGH and UBC Hospital, the new Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute is embedded within the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, one of the top-funded research institutes in Canada. This transformative gift, the largest in the history of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, is unique as $35 million will help fund a proposed new multi-use tower at the corner of Oak Street and West 12th Avenue and $25 million is for an unprecedented Innovation Fund. Building on Vancouver's global reputation, the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute will use the Innovation Fund to achieve its goal of becoming a national cardiovascular hub and one of the world's leading cardiovascular institutes. This will be accomplished by establishing a cardiovascular research and clinical care network with partner sites throughout North America and Europe and by recruiting the best clinicians and scientists from Canada and around the globe. Since 2002, the Dilawri Foundation — the philanthropic outreach of the Dilawri Group of Companies, Canada's largest automotive group — has contributed millions of dollars to health care, education, and social-impact initiatives. The Foundation is committed to making a lasting difference in the lives of Canadians by advancing health care, education, and social services across the country. This $60 million donation represents the Foundation's largest gift since its inception. VANCOUVER, BC, June 5, 2025 /CNW/ - In a landmark announcement, the Dilawri Foundation has made a record-setting $60 million philanthropic gift to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation to establish the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute (DCI) on the Vancouver General Hospital campus. "For our family, this is about bringing our values of compassion and community to life through meaningful investments that allow us to give back in a lasting way," said Ajay Dilawri, Co-founder of both the Dilawri Foundation and Dilawri. "We're honoured to support the exceptional team at Vancouver General Hospital and help advance a future where everyone in British Columbia — and beyond — has access to world-class cardiac care. Our goal is to help establish a global centre of excellence that will set a new benchmark for cardiac innovation and treatment. We hope this gift will help improve health care and quality of life on a broader scale." The gift also represents a major milestone in the mission of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, which plays a critical role in enabling innovation, recruiting top talent, and helping the people of British Columbia have access to the best care possible. As the leading charity investing in health care innovation in the province, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation connects visionary donors with world-class health care teams to help build healthier communities across British Columbia. By supporting Vancouver General Hospital, UBC Hospital, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, and Vancouver Community Health Services, the Foundation plays an essential role in fueling groundbreaking research, cutting-edge technology, and life-saving care. "This is a truly historic moment for health care philanthropy in Canada," said Angela Chapman, President and CEO of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. "The Dilawri Foundation's extraordinary generosity will help Vancouver and British Columbia attract and retain world-leading clinicians and researchers from Canada and around the globe. It will allow the talented specialists at VGH to accelerate discoveries and translate them into better patient care and outcomes for the people of British Columbia and beyond. Inspired by a first-hand experience of the specialized care provided at VGH, this is an incredible act of gratitude and philanthropy." The new Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute will be led by Dr. David Wood, a world-renowned structural and interventional cardiologist and Head of the Division of Cardiology at VGH and UBC Hospital. "Our clinicians and researchers are focused on using new technology and discoveries to improve access to care, shorten wait times, improve outcomes, and decrease recovery times. We have already taught centres throughout North America and around the globe how to replace heart valves in under 30 minutes so patients can go home the same day, or how to treat heart rhythm problems sooner — long before any cardiac damage becomes permanent," said Dr. David Wood. He added: "I am so incredibly proud of the amazing work our investigators have already accomplished. The new infrastructure and Innovation Fund will allow us to fulfill our goal: to become one of the leading cardiovascular institutes in the world. Our goal is to help patients live longer, symptom-free lives thanks to the disruptive innovation made possible by the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute." "The Dilawri Foundation's visionary support will have a profound and lasting impact on heart health for generations to come. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality, innovative health care, and this investment will enable us to continue our goal of providing leading-edge cardiac medicine, contributing to the global advancement of this field," said Vivian Eliopoulos, President and CEO, Vancouver Coastal Health. "Our family has been deeply moved by the incredible care, expertise, and compassion we've received from the team at Vancouver General Hospital," said Kap Dilawri, Co-founder of both the Dilawri Foundation and Dilawri. "We believe the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute will have a profound and lasting impact on patients, families, and communities — not only in Vancouver but also globally." To learn more about the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute, visit About VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is Vancouver Coastal Health's primary philanthropic partner, raising funds for specialized adult health care services and research for all people living in British Columbia. As the leading charity investing in health care innovation in British Columbia, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation partners with donors to raise essential funds for Vancouver Coastal Health, supporting VGH, UBC Hospital, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, and Vancouver Community Health Services. To learn more about VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, visit About DilawriPrivately owned and operated since 1984, Dilawri continues to build on its legacy as Canada's largest automotive group. While its roots are firmly planted in automotive retail, Dilawri has expanded its portfolio through a dedicated investment division with strategic interests in real estate and a range of diversified holdings. Dilawri is committed to leadership in the communities it serves as well as in business. Through the Dilawri Foundation, established in 2002, the company has contributed millions of dollars to a wide range of charitable causes. To learn more about Dilawri, visit About Vancouver Coastal Health Vancouver Coastal Health is committed to delivering exceptional care to 1.25 million people, including the First Nations, Métis and Inuit, within the traditional territories of the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo-Xai'xais, Lil'wat, Musqueam, N'Quatqua, Nuxalk, Samahquam, shíshálh, Skatin, Squamish, Tla'amin, Tsleil-Waututh, Wuikinuxv, and Xa'xtsa. To learn more about Vancouver Coastal Health, visit SOURCE VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation View original content to download multimedia: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
