The David Foster Foundation害羞草研究所檚 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 Foster害羞草研究所檚 first fundraiser in British Columbia 30 years ago.

害羞草研究所淚 can害羞草研究所檛 see myself doing that now,害羞草研究所� he said at the gala害羞草研究所檚 red carpet in Vancouver on Saturday. 害羞草研究所淚t raised a modest amount of money, but that害羞草研究所檚 how things go, things start that way.害羞草研究所�

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 it害羞草研究所檚 more than their friendship with Foster that keeps them supporting the cause.

害羞草研究所淭his is going to have a lasting mark on Canadians everywhere and it does such good work so it害羞草研究所檚 worth every effort to contribute to his initiative,害羞草研究所� he said.

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

Saturday害羞草研究所檚 concert at Rogers Arena featured performances by Foster, Steven Tyler, The Tenors, Matteo Bocelli, Laura Bretan and B.C.害羞草研究所檚 Carly Rae Jepsen.

Jepsen害羞草研究所檚 performance comes just months before she heads on tour with pop star Katy Perry.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 very proud to be supporting such an incredible event and on top of that I害羞草研究所檓 in my home town so all my family and friends are here as well,害羞草研究所� she said.

Jepsen admitted she was also star-struck by the gala害羞草研究所檚 impressive lineup.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 just going to spend all night hunting for Oprah,害羞草研究所� 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.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檝e come a long way and we害羞草研究所檙e going to continue, as long as the need is there we害羞草研究所檙e going to do it,害羞草研究所� he said.

He added that he害羞草研究所檚 bumped his goal to establish an endowment fund for the foundation from $30 million to $50 million by 2018 so that 害羞草研究所渉opefully long after I害羞草研究所檓 gone it害羞草研究所檒l still be doing the work.害羞草研究所�

Michael Ravenhill, the foundation害羞草研究所檚 chief executive officer, said although the gala has grown, so has the need.

害羞草研究所淲e actually need to make a difference. We need to save more children害羞草研究所檚 lives and keep families together,害羞草研究所� he said.

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

害羞草研究所淚 think the big thing is that we still need to do a better job as a country,害羞草研究所� he said.

Linda Givetash, The Canadian Press

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