Vancouver personal injury law firm Warnett Hallen LLP has reaffirmed its commitment to pediatric palliative care by sponsoring the 21st annual Gift of Time gala, a fundraiser for Canuck Place Children's Hospice. The event, presented by Nicola Wealth, will be held on Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. at the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in Vancouver and has raised more than $22.1 million to date for the internationally recognized hospice.
The sponsorship matters because it helps sustain a model of care that families in British Columbia cannot access elsewhere. Canuck Place, which opened in 1995 as North America's first free-standing children's hospice, provides pain and symptom management, medical respite, educational support, art and music therapy, end-of-life care, and grief and bereavement counselling — all at no cost to families. With locations in Vancouver and Abbotsford, the hospice relies on events like the gala to keep those services free as demand grows.
Manjot Hallen, a founding partner of Warnett Hallen LLP, said the firm's support reflects a long-standing personal and professional commitment to children's health. "The wellbeing of children and families has long been important to me. Our firm is honoured to continue supporting Canuck Place and the life-changing work that it does every day," Hallen said. He previously served as chair of BC Children's Hospital's A Night of Miracles Gala. This marks the third consecutive year the firm has sponsored the Gift of Time gala.
The origins of Canuck Place trace back to 1988, when Vancouver nurse Brenda Eng identified a gap in comprehensive palliative care for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. In partnership with private and public donors, the Vancouver Canucks Hockey Club, the Griffiths family, The Vancouver Sun, Variety – The Children's Charity, Loewen Group, TELUS, and the City of Vancouver, the hospice opened its doors in 1995. Its continued operation depends on a mix of philanthropy and community partnerships, making corporate sponsorships like Warnett Hallen's essential to its mission.
For families facing a child's life-limiting diagnosis, the implications are profound. Canuck Place offers a rare combination of clinical expertise and emotional support, allowing families to focus on time together rather than financial strain. The Gift of Time gala directly funds these programs, ensuring that no family is turned away because of an inability to pay.
Warnett Hallen LLP is a longtime Vancouver law firm representing clients in personal injury matters, including slip-and-fall accidents, ATV accidents, sports injuries, life insurance claims, dental malpractice, cosmetic injuries, dog bites, assaults, and certain motor vehicle accident claims. The firm's involvement in pediatric hospice care underscores a broader corporate responsibility to address health inequities in British Columbia.
As the 21st annual gala approaches, the continued success of Canuck Place hinges on sustained community and corporate support. For more information about the event or to support Canuck Place, visit https://www.canuckplace.org/.
