Wayne Keith can’t forget the sign he read while being treated at Langley Memorial Hospital for uncontrolled bleeding.
A sticky note on a vital piece of equipment cautioned staff not to use it because it only works 50 per cent of the time.
He made a plea to those attending the Denim and Diamonds Gala for the Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation to donate for new functioning equipment.
At the June 7 gala at the Highpoint Equestrian Centre, he was also able to meet some of the people who helped save his life.
Willen De Vynck, a Langley ER doctor, explained staff are there to help others.
“We need the right tools to do that,†he said.
De Vynck said $600,000 worth of equipment is urgently needed at the hospital.
The foundation, which just unveiled the new expanded maternity ward, fundraises to help provide equipment.
At the gala, various people and businesses came forward to help the cause, including Phil Jackman of Valley Traffic Systems, who would match donations to a maximum of $100,000.
RBC donated $20,000, the Drive for a Cure through Redwoods Golf Course donated $10,000, as did Nick Nuraney, the owner of five Langley A&W restaurants.
The Rotary Club of Langley Central donated $5,500.
The gala was the first foray into local philanthropy for the new Mercedes Benz Langley, the key sponsor, since it opened last year.
In addition to entertainment by Robyn and Ryleigh and Karen Lee Batten, the evening featured a live auction, a silent auction and a gourmet dinner.