November 20, 2024 – Simon Keith C.M. will return to his hometown of Victoria, British Columbia to host the inaugural Simon Keith Foundation Heart of Gold Gala and Concert on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, at the Victoria Conference Centre.
A star-studded weekend will kick off with a VIP event held at an intimate location on Friday evening, followed by The Simon Keith Foundation Heart of Gold Gala and Concert at the Victoria Conference Center concluding with a private after party.
The event, hosted by the Simon Keith Foundation, promises to be the event of the year.
Keith, the first athlete in the world to play a professional sport after receiving a heart transplant and recent heart/kidney transplant recipient, has become world renowned for his dedication to organ donation awareness and transplantation.
That mission started more than 10 years ago with a conversation at Lake Cowichan with a few close friends. Due to his personal journal and those moments with friends and family inspired Keith and led to the development of The Simon Keith Foundation. Now, he is honored to be able to bring this inaugural event to his home where his values were shaped and the vision for his Foundation were first instilled in him.
“When we decided to host the first ever Simon Keith Foundation Heart of Gold Gala and Concert, we knew there was only one place for it: Victoria,” said Keith. “Victoria is where I grew up. It’s where I learned about life, sports, struggle, community, and love. And now, it is the destination where we can continue to raise funds to continue offering life-changing support to even more families touched by organ donation and transplantation in Canada and around the world.”
The press conference also will feature a special recognition of Addison McArthur. Now 13, Addison was the first infant to receive a heart transplant at BC Children’s Hospital in 2011. Currently in her first year of high school, Addison has become an advocate for transplant research and organ donation. She has competed in multiple World Transplant Games and the Canadian Transplant Games in Vancouver and Ottawa. Along with her mother, Elaine, and her
Family, they launched the Addison Fund for Pediatric Transplant Research in 2013. Their ongoing mission fully comports with the Simon Keith Foundation and the Heart of Gold Gala and Concert.
The event will be produced by MR Global and Victoria native Michael Ravenhill. MR Global is firmly established itself as a global leader in executive management for live event productions. Ravenhill has worked around the world producing world-class events with some of the greatest entertainers of our time.
“I’m excited to produce the Simon Keith Heart of Gold Gala and concert in my hometown of Victoria,’ said Ravenhill. “This cause is so important and the impact that this gala will have on families and children who have received an organ transplant will create so many more opportunities for those that desire to live a healthy and active life once again. This is going to be a big night!!”
The funds raised at the Heart of Gold Gala will continue to benefit The Simon Keith Foundation, dedicated to raising awareness for organ donation and specifically to providing support for families whose children have undergone lifesaving transplants.
More than 38 years ago, another hero gave Simon his first lifesaving gift. Just 21 years old at the time, Simon was a young soccer player who suddenly learned he needed a new heart. That gift came on July 7, 1986, from a 17-year-old boy from Wales whose legacy lives on through Simon as detailed in his biography, “Heart for the Game.” Just three years later, Simon became the first person in the world to play a professional sport after undergoing a heart transplant. Due to his personal journey, he started the aforementioned Simon Keith Foundation in 2011.
Keith’s journey has continued to evolve since starting his Foundation. In late 2018, Keith learned he needed another heart transplant more than 30 years after the first he received at just 21 years old – but this time, he also needed a kidney. To further complicate the matter, both lifesaving organs would need to come from the same donor hero. After several months in and out of the hospital fighting for his life, Keith got the call and his gift of a heart transplant on March 17, 2019. He underwent a successful kidney transplant the following day as well thanks to the same heroic donor.
“Our goal this year is to create a memorable and extraordinary event for Victoria,” continued Keith. “With the support of the community, we’re confident that this will be a resounding success – an event we’ll talk about for years to come – and, most importantly, that we’ll raise enough funds to continue offering life-changing support to even more families touched by organ donation and transplantation in Canada and around the world.”
All event details can be found at www.simonkeith.com/foundation.
