The David Foster Foundation91裸聊视频檚 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 Foster91裸聊视频檚 first fundraiser in British Columbia 30 years ago.

91裸聊视频淚 can91裸聊视频檛 see myself doing that now,91裸聊视频� he said at the gala91裸聊视频檚 red carpet in Vancouver on Saturday. 91裸聊视频淚t raised a modest amount of money, but that91裸聊视频檚 how things go, things start that way.91裸聊视频�

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 it91裸聊视频檚 more than their friendship with Foster that keeps them supporting the cause.

91裸聊视频淭his is going to have a lasting mark on Canadians everywhere and it does such good work so it91裸聊视频檚 worth every effort to contribute to his initiative,91裸聊视频� he said.

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

Saturday91裸聊视频檚 concert at Rogers Arena featured performances by Foster, Steven Tyler, The Tenors, Matteo Bocelli, Laura Bretan and B.C.91裸聊视频檚 Carly Rae Jepsen.

Jepsen91裸聊视频檚 performance comes just months before she heads on tour with pop star Katy Perry.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 very proud to be supporting such an incredible event and on top of that I91裸聊视频檓 in my home town so all my family and friends are here as well,91裸聊视频� she said.

Jepsen admitted she was also star-struck by the gala91裸聊视频檚 impressive lineup.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 just going to spend all night hunting for Oprah,91裸聊视频� 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.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檝e come a long way and we91裸聊视频檙e going to continue, as long as the need is there we91裸聊视频檙e going to do it,91裸聊视频� he said.

He added that he91裸聊视频檚 bumped his goal to establish an endowment fund for the foundation from $30 million to $50 million by 2018 so that 91裸聊视频渉opefully long after I91裸聊视频檓 gone it91裸聊视频檒l still be doing the work.91裸聊视频�

Michael Ravenhill, the foundation91裸聊视频檚 chief executive officer, said although the gala has grown, so has the need.

91裸聊视频淲e actually need to make a difference. We need to save more children91裸聊视频檚 lives and keep families together,91裸聊视频� he said.

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

91裸聊视频淚 think the big thing is that we still need to do a better job as a country,91裸聊视频� he said.

Linda Givetash, The Canadian Press

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