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 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 11th year.

This year’s gala 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 gala 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 installations and culinary stations from celebrated chefs such as Eva Chen, Nick Lin, and Brayden Chong. Jackie Li, a double amputee with an angelic voice, will perform alongside Canadian talent including Tyler Shaw, Leslie Chang, Alex Porat, Ginalina, and Ryan Huang.

For Deborah, the gala is more than entertainment; it’s a way to preserve and share 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.”

By celebrating Lunar New Year and supporting Scarborough Health Network, 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