Causes Close to My Heart

Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to work with extraordinary people and organizations whose dedication makes a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Some of these causes are closely connected to my work in medicine and vision care, while others reflect my commitment to the community in which I live and work.

This page highlights charitable organizations and initiatives I am actively involved with and personally believe in. Each addresses an important need, whether advancing medical education, improving access to specialized care, or supporting vulnerable members of our community.

I hope that by sharing their work, I can help raise awareness and encourage others to get involved. If a cause resonates with you, I invite you to learn more about the organization and consider supporting its efforts. Even small contributions can make a meaningful difference.

The Dr. John Richards/ Greg Moloney Fellowship

Help us endow the Dr. John Richards Cornea Fellowship for training future ophthalmologists in osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP) which was pioneered in the Americas. Your generosity also fuels research that is changing what is possible for patients with corneal disease. Our teams are advancing cell injection therapy for endothelial disease, an approach that may one day replace the need for full corneal transplantation with a minimally invasive treatment. We are also developing the OOKP program, a remarkable procedure that offers hope to patients with severe, end-stage ocular surface disease for whom conventional transplants have failed. In parallel, our work in bioengineered corneal tissue replacement aims to address the global shortage of donor corneas by creating laboratory-grown tissue that could restore vision to millions.

Supporting the future of sight begins with the next generation of corneal specialists and the research that will transform how we treat corneal blindness. At the University of British Columbia, the Corneal Fellowship Program trains highly skilled surgeons and clinician-scientists who go on to care for patients and lead innovation in communities across Canada and around the world. Your gift helps us attract exceptional fellows, provide them with advanced surgical and clinical training, and ensure that British Columbians have access to the highest standard of corneal care for years to come.

Every contribution, large or small, brings us closer to a future where corneal blindness is treatable for everyone. Whether you choose to support fellowship training, a specific research program, or both, your gift will have a lasting impact on patients, families, and the specialists who care for them. We invite you to join us in advancing vision care at UBC.

Whole Way House

Whole Way House is a Vancouver charity whose work is especially close to my heart. They support vulnerable and low-income residents, particularly seniors in the Downtown Eastside, who too often face loneliness, isolation, and difficult living circumstances. What I admire most about Whole Way House is that they offer more than practical assistance. They create a sense of community, belonging, and genuine human connection. I am proud to support an organization that reminds us how much kindness, dignity, and simply being there for someone can mean.

Disclaimer: Donation links take you directly to the respective charitable organizations. I do not receive any financial benefit from donations made through this page.