It’s that time of year again: time to show some extra ❤️ for BC Children’s Hospital and the kids who need their care. We shudder to think what might have happened to our daughter Isabel a few years ago - and to so many other kids - without their care.

To help rally support, we’re sufferfun-ing up all 3 North Shore Mountains (Seymour, Grouse, Cypress) July 19 in the 14th annual Triple Crown for ❤️ . The ride helps BC Children's Hospital Heart Unit and Children's Heart Network support kids in care and recovery (see below for more details).

Isabel and I would be grateful for any support! Donations of $20 or more receive a charitable donation tax receipt…and EVERY BIT helps.

THANK YOU / hay c:ep q̓ə / huy chexw for joining in to help support this worthy cause!

ps. the photo is her at last years ride. She can rode the last 1/3 with me! 🥰

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WHY WE RIDE

“Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is the most prevalent birth defect and affects children no matter their race, ethnicity or place of birth. In Canada, prevalence of CHD is 1.23 per 100 live births (1). Throughout the world, CHD is responsible for over 180,00 deaths and is a main contributing factor in lifelong disability (2). 

…At BC Children’s Hospital, between 400-500 cardiac surgeries are performed each year. Cardiac services also provides outreach clinics to rural cities throughout BC-Yukon.  

We are also aware that once children and teens have had surgery and have a heart condition there can be challenges getting back out into the world to make friends and return to life as we know it. The Children’s Heart Network provides Camp Zajac and Camp Summit which give these children and teens the opportunity to make friends and experience life in a safe environment (3). 

The Triple Crown for Heart aims to provide this support through funds donated to two charities.

1. The first is through donations to inpatient cardiac wards at BC Children’s Hospital (T6 at BC Children’s Hospital Cardiac inpatient and ward Neuroscience/Surgery) through the BCCH foundation, which provides support for small attainable projects which improve the family’s experience while in hospital. The projects strive to promote healing and health of the children and families (ex. Renovation and maintenance of outdoor garden 2010 -2013, contribution to the ICU family waiting area for a comfortable sofa bed, consistent tea and coffee for parents in patient kitchens for parents).  

1. The second way …is through donations to the Children’s Heart Network’s Camp Zajac, which is run each year for school-aged children. We know that children and teens are at risk for depression and loneliness due to isolation (3). This popular camp provides a chance for children and teens to engage social and outdoor recreational…[with] 24 hour on-site medical supervision and a direct link to the cardiologist-on-call at BC Children’s Hospital if needed. Last year we provided enough funds to cover one of the two camps! We continue to support this wonderful charity as they provide excellent opportunities for our heart children to make friends and experience activities they have not done before!

Please come join us in support of cardiac children and families to ease their burden while in hospital and help the children and teens continue to have life experiences afterwards through a dedicated cardiac camp.”