$60 million naming gift to hospital from Ajay, Kap & Tony Dilawri aims to revolutionize heart care
In a landmark announcement, the Dilawri family’s foundation has made a record-setting $60 million philanthropic gift to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation to establish the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute (DCI) on the Vancouver General Hospital campus.
“For our family, this is about bringing our values of compassion and community to life through meaningful investments that allow us to give back in a lasting way,” said Ajay Dilawri, co-founder of both the Dilawri Foundation and Dilawri.
“We’re honored to support the exceptional team at Vancouver General Hospital and help advance a future where everyone in British Columbia — and beyond — has access to world-class cardiac care. Our goal is to establish a global center of excellence that sets a new benchmark for cardiac innovation and treatment. We hope this gift will help improve health care and quality of life on a broader scale.”
The gift also represents a significant milestone in the mission of the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, which plays a critical role in enabling innovation, recruiting top talent, and helping the people of British Columbia access the best care possible.
As the leading charity investing in health care innovation in the province, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation connects visionary donors with world-class health care teams to help build healthier communities across British Columbia.
By supporting Vancouver General Hospital, UBC Hospital, the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, the G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, and Vancouver Community Health Services, the Foundation plays a vital role in fueling groundbreaking research, cutting-edge technology, and life-saving care.
“This is a truly historic moment for health care philanthropy in Canada,” said Angela Chapman, President and CEO of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. “The Dilawri Foundation’s extraordinary generosity will help Vancouver and British Columbia attract and retain world-leading clinicians and researchers from Canada and around the globe.
It will allow the talented specialists at VGH to accelerate discoveries and translate them into better patient care and outcomes for the people of British Columbia and beyond. Inspired by a first-hand experience of the specialized care provided at VGH, this is an incredible act of gratitude and philanthropy.”
The new Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute will be led by Dr. David Wood, a world-renowned structural and interventional cardiologist and head of the Division of Cardiology at VGH and UBC Hospital.
“Our clinicians and researchers are focused on using new technology and discoveries to improve access to care, shorten wait times, improve outcomes, and decrease recovery times. We have already taught centers throughout North America and around the globe how to replace heart valves in under 30 minutes so patients can go home the same day or how to treat heart rhythm problems sooner, long before any cardiac damage becomes permanent,” said Dr. David Wood.
He added, “I am so incredibly proud of the wonderful work our investigators have already accomplished. The new infrastructure and Innovation Fund will allow us to fulfill our goal: to become one of the leading cardiovascular institutes in the world. Our goal is to help patients live longer, symptom-free lives thanks to the disruptive innovation made possible by the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute.”
“The Dilawri Foundation’s visionary support will have a profound and lasting impact on heart health for generations to come.
Our team is committed to delivering high-quality, innovative health care, and this investment will enable us to continue our goal of providing leading-edge cardiac medicine, contributing to the global advancement of this field,” said Vivian Eliopoulos, President and CEO, Vancouver Coastal Health.
“Our family has been deeply moved by the incredible care, expertise, and compassion we’ve received from the team at Vancouver General Hospital,” said Kap Dilawri, Co-founder of both the Dilawri Foundation and Dilawri.
“We believe the Dilawri Cardiovascular Institute will have a profound and lasting impact on patients, families, and communities — not only in Vancouver but also globally.”
The VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is Vancouver Coastal Health’s primary philanthropic partner, raising funds for specialized adult healthcare services and research for all people living in British Columbia.
As the leading charity investing in health care innovation in British Columbia, VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation partners with donors to raise essential funds for Vancouver Coastal Health, supporting VGH, UBC Hospital, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, G.F. Strong Rehabilitation Centre, and Vancouver Community Health Services.
Privately owned and operated since 1984, Dilawri continues to build on its legacy as Canada’s largest automotive group.
While its roots are firmly planted in automotive retail, Dilawri has expanded its portfolio through a dedicated investment division with strategic interests in real estate and a range of diversified holdings.
Dilawri is committed to leadership in the communities it serves, as well as in the business world.
Through the Dilawri Foundation, established in 2002, the company has contributed millions of dollars to a wide range of charitable causes.
Vancouver Coastal Health is committed to delivering exceptional care to 1.25 million people, including the First Nations, Métis and Inuit, within the traditional territories of the Heiltsuk, Kitasoo-Xai’xais, Lil’wat, Musqueam, N’Quatqua, Nuxalk, Samahquam, shíshálh, Skatin, Squamish, Tla’amin, Tsleil-Waututh, Wuikinuxv, and Xa’xtsa.