Honoring the life of their late mother Adella: Michelle and Diana Krall.

Diana Krall Helps Raise $810,000 for VGH's Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplantation Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 08, 2004 - Vancouver - The VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is pleased to announce that An Evening with Diana Krall & Friends -- Elton John and Elvis Costello raised an amazing $810,000.

"This event is the result of months of hard work by numerous volunteers and the vision and leadership of the Krall family," says Ron Dumouchelle, President & CEO of the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. "We are grateful for the incredible generosity of our event sponsors, auction donors and guests. Their support made this event outstanding."

Guests at the gala enjoyed an intimate evening with performances from Diana, Elton John and Elvis Costello including a grand finale that saw the trio performing together on stage. Proceeds from the black-tie benefit and charity auction, held March 5 at The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, benefit the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation in support of Vancouver General Hospital's Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplantation (L/BMT) Program. Specifically, the funds raised through this year's event will go towards designing and furnishing a new outpatient unit which last night was announced will be named after the Krall family in honour of their support of the L/BMT Program.

"I am thrilled with what we were able to achieve this year and so very thankful for the generosity and support my family and friends have extended to the event," says Diana. "I am forever grateful to the hospital for the incredible care my mother Adella received through the L/BMT Program. The naming of the outpatient unit is a wonderful tribute to her."

The new 36-bed/chair outpatient unit will be located on the sixth floor of VGH's Centennial Pavilion, which is currently undergoing seismic upgrading. It will include two lounges -- one set up as a library -- as well as an expanded kitchen area. Special emphasis will be placed on lighting, colors and cabinetry to mask the fact patients are in a hospital. Volunteering her time and a decorative touch to the space will be none-other than the Home & Garden Network's Sarah Richardson -- interior designer and host of the show Room Service.

In all, Krall's benefit concerts have collectively raised over $1,310,000 since 1998 -- helping purchase critically needed medical equipment, support patient comfort needs and assist out-of-town L/BMT patients from across British Columbia fight leukemia and other blood-related diseases. Over the last ten years, the L/BMT Program has become internationally recognized as a leading centre for treatment and clinical research. Krall and her sister, Michelle Wigmore, began hosting the event six years ago as a way to give thanks to those who cared for their mother Adella Krall, who had multiple myeloma (a form of blood cancer) and passed away in 2002.

The VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is a registered charity established to raise funds for equipment, patient care programs, and medical research for Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Hospital. The Foundation seeks to build partnerships with community organizations, corporations and people who share a commitment to quality health care in BC.

For more information on the event, VGH or L/BMT Program, or to make a donation, please contact the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation at 604.875.4676 or visit www.supportvgh.ca or visit Diana's official fan site -- www.dianakrall.com.