After The Rain, Comes The Sun!
On Saturday, May 7, 2022, the insurance industry broke records as the 28th Annual Starlight Insurance Gala made its comeback at The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto in support of Starlight Children’s Foundation Canada! Hosted by television personality, Anwar Knight, the event was the first of its kind after 2 years apart due to the pandemic, and raised an astounding $352,750 to support Starlight Canada’s in-and-out of hospital programming to help spread joy and relief to seriously ill children and their families.
As guests of the event enjoyed “Resilience” themed décor, from Butterfly Plushies to floral arrangements, they also showed their support of the cause through bidding on nearly 150 Silent Auction items and tested their luck in the Key Raffle and Resilience Raffle with amazing grand prizes to be won!
Amidst the celebration, 13-year-old Starlight teen, Sarah, was welcomed to the stage alongside her sister, Kiarra, to share her difficult journey of battling leukemia now for the sixth time. Sarah’s resilience and strength is an inspiration to us all, and her story is a reminder of what Starlight Canada and events like the Starlight Insurance Gala are fighting for – to bring light and joy into the lives of seriously ill children during their darkest days.
Inspired by her story, attendees of the event then became part of the magic in the highly anticipated Wish Auction. This year, another record was broken as 63 total Wishes were donated on-site to help make dreams come true for kids just like Sarah! In recognition of Sarah’s resilience and due to the generosity of the insurance industry, Brian Bringolf, Starlight Canada’s Chief Executive Officer, then surprised Sarah by granting her Wish live on stage.
Sarah’s mom, Gillian, shared that she has not stopped smiling since the event!
Helping break even more records are twelve President’s Club Sponsors – Aviva, BFL CANADA, CAA Insurance Company, CNA Canada, Enterprise Holdings Foundation, Gallagher, HSB Canada, Intact Insurance, Ontario, Intact Specialty Solutions, Larrek Investigations, Navacord and Travelers Canada – which is the highest number in the event’s history!
Thanks to the profound generosity of every insurance industry guest, supporter, and sponsor, thousands of seriously ill children will be reached through our hospital to home programs. A very special thank you to the 2022 Starlight Insurance Committee for making this event possible, and to all of our sponsors for leading the way.
To learn more about the year-long Starlight Insurance Campaign or to see the full list of sponsors, visit starlightinsurancecampaign.org.