The David Foster Foundation香蕉视频直播檚 annual Miracle Gala and Concert that touted a celebrity guest list including Oprah Winfrey and Steven Tyler has come a long way from its roots as a softball tournament.

Former prime minister Brian Mulroney said he was among those running the bases at Foster香蕉视频直播檚 first fundraiser in British Columbia 30 years ago.

香蕉视频直播淚 can香蕉视频直播檛 see myself doing that now,香蕉视频直播� he said at the gala香蕉视频直播檚 red carpet in Vancouver on Saturday. 香蕉视频直播淚t raised a modest amount of money, but that香蕉视频直播檚 how things go, things start that way.香蕉视频直播�

The charity institution founded in 1986 by the decorated Victoria-raised music producer raises money to support the non-medical expenses of Canadian families with children undergoing or awaiting life-saving organ transplants.

Mulroney, accompanied by his wife Mila, said it香蕉视频直播檚 more than their friendship with Foster that keeps them supporting the cause.

香蕉视频直播淭his is going to have a lasting mark on Canadians everywhere and it does such good work so it香蕉视频直播檚 worth every effort to contribute to his initiative,香蕉视频直播� he said.

To date, more than 1,100 families have been supported, relieving the pressure of their mortgage payments, travel costs and other expenses.

Saturday香蕉视频直播檚 concert at Rogers Arena featured performances by Foster, Steven Tyler, The Tenors, Matteo Bocelli, Laura Bretan and B.C.香蕉视频直播檚 Carly Rae Jepsen.

Jepsen香蕉视频直播檚 performance comes just months before she heads on tour with pop star Katy Perry.

香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 very proud to be supporting such an incredible event and on top of that I香蕉视频直播檓 in my home town so all my family and friends are here as well,香蕉视频直播� she said.

Jepsen admitted she was also star-struck by the gala香蕉视频直播檚 impressive lineup.

香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 just going to spend all night hunting for Oprah,香蕉视频直播� she said.

Foster has won 16 Grammys, seven Junos, an Emmy and a Golden Globe while fetching three Oscar nominations for collaborations with stars including Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Mary J. Blige and Andrea Bocelli.

He is also a recipient of the Order of Canada and has a star on both the Canadian and Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Foster reflected on the achievements of the foundation ahead of the gala.

香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檝e come a long way and we香蕉视频直播檙e going to continue, as long as the need is there we香蕉视频直播檙e going to do it,香蕉视频直播� he said.

He added that he香蕉视频直播檚 bumped his goal to establish an endowment fund for the foundation from $30 million to $50 million by 2018 so that 香蕉视频直播渉opefully long after I香蕉视频直播檓 gone it香蕉视频直播檒l still be doing the work.香蕉视频直播�

Michael Ravenhill, the foundation香蕉视频直播檚 chief executive officer, said although the gala has grown, so has the need.

香蕉视频直播淲e actually need to make a difference. We need to save more children香蕉视频直播檚 lives and keep families together,香蕉视频直播� he said.

Ravenhill said less than 20 per cent of Canadians are registered organ donors.

香蕉视频直播淚 think the big thing is that we still need to do a better job as a country,香蕉视频直播� he said.

Linda Givetash, The Canadian Press

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