Long before founding one of Canada’s most celebrated Lunar New Year galas, Deborah Lau-Yu spent her teenage afternoons at Scarborough Health Network (SHN)’s Birchmount Hospital. She volunteered at the information desk, carefully typing names, calling hospital units, and assisting families in navigating the system. It led her to be recruited by the Volunteer Program Director into the Youth Council, where, with a group of ten other passionate leaders, they ran the student volunteer program at the hospital for over a decade.

“It really taught me the importance of giving back,” Deborah says. “Being part of something bigger than yourself stays with you.”

Born and raised in Scarborough, Deborah saw SHN not just as a workplace, but as a place of care for her family, neighbours, and community. It was where loved ones turned during emergencies and moments of uncertainty, and where care close to home truly mattered. That lifelong connection is what makes SHN a meaningful beneficiary of Fête Chinoise 2026, now in its 11^th year.

This year’s Signature Event theme, “Bold New Beginnings,” reflects both the evolution of Fête Chinoise and the transformation underway across Scarborough’s healthcare system. “It’s about starting a new chapter with confidence,” Deborah explains. “That’s exactly what’s happening in Scarborough, with new facilities, medical education, and renewed opportunity.”

The Signature Event will take place on February 7, 2026, and supports SHN’s largest redevelopment in history: the transformation of Birchmount Hospital. The 40-year-old site is being upgraded with a new patient tower featuring over 200 inpatient beds, 14 surgical suites, expanded critical care spaces, and a modern Emergency Department.

Held during Lunar New Year, Fête Chinoise has become renowned for reimagining the cultural experience in Canada. This year, guests will enjoy Chinese knot and paper craft exhibitions and culinary stations from celebrated chefs such as Eva Chin, Nick Lin, Braden Chong, and Keith Pears. Jackie Li, a double amputee known for his angelic voice and powerful outlook, will perform alongside Canadian talent including Tyler Shaw, Leslie Chiang, Alex Porat, Ginalina, Ryan Huang, and the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra.

For Deborah, the Signature Event is far beyond entertainment; it’s a way to preserve, share and refresh cultural traditions. “I don’t have my grandmother or mother here anymore,” she reflects. “Some traditions are quickly becoming lost. My goal is to create something that inspires people across three generations—honouring the past, celebrating the present, and giving the next generation a vibrant tradition to carry forward.”

Supporting SHN through Fête Chinoise is also about representation and leadership. Nearly one in five Scarborough residents identifies as being of Chinese descent, and many families across generations have relied on SHN hospitals for care.

“For a long time, people were just trying to survive,” Deborah says. “Now there is an opportunity to give back to the very institutions that supported our families when they needed it most.”  

Through her storytelling work, Deborah met two SHN champions: John Tory, the former Mayor of Toronto and Jeffrey Remedios, President & CEO at REPUBLIC Collective (featured in Fête Chinoise Magazine’s 10^th anniversary edition). Both have served on SHN Foundation’s Campaign Cabinet and helped propel the Love, Scarborough campaign, marking a transformative period for the hospital network. The campaign has had an immense impact, supporting critical upgrades and equipment for more than 800,000 patients who rely on these hospitals each year. Just as Deborah’s volunteer journey began decades ago, it shows how giving back to something bigger can transform a community.

By celebrating Lunar New Year and supporting SHN, Fête Chinoise is doing precisely what its theme promises, honouring the past, embracing the present, and boldly building what comes next.

Learn more about attending Fête Chinoise 2026 or reserving a table at www.fetechinoise.ca/gala-2026