Over 200 cyclists to conquer three North Shore mountains for BC’s kids
Vancouver, BC (July 6, 2023) – BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, the only hospital in the province devoted exclusively to the care of children and youth, announced that the 12th annual Triple Crown for Heart event will be taking place on Saturday, July 15, 2023, starting at 8 a.m., at Ron Andrews Community Centre – 931 Lytton St., North Vancouver. Triple Crown for Heart is a community organized event and funds raised go to BC Children’s Hospital Foundation and Children’s Heart Networks. Individual and team cyclists participating in the Triple Crown for Heart raise funds through friends, family, and community support to reach their fundraising goal.
Triple Crown for Heart event consists of riding to the top of all three North Vancouver mountains - Seymour, Grouse and Cypress, in a single day. The ride is 76 kilometres in length, which includes 2,300 metres of elevation. The ride takes up to six hours for an intermediate cyclist to complete. The event was founded in 2010 by Marie Campbell, a cardiac nurse at that time, who saw the need for children and families to have a space to heal. In 2010 funds from Triple Crown for Heart were provided to renovate an outdoor patio, which was part of the Cardiac Unit at that time.
Funds raised by the Triple Crown for Heart event continue to directly support the inpatient cardiac patients and their families on the sixth floor of the Teck Acute Care Centre at BC Children’s Hospital, with nutritional and comfort items while they are in the hospital receiving care. The funds also go towards the Children’s Heart Network a registered charity which helps to fund Camp Zajac, two-week-long Heart Camps for children and teens with congenital or acquired heart disease.
“When our daughter Addison was three weeks old, her heart suddenly failed. She was put on life support and we were informed that a heart transplant was her only option for survival,” said Elaine Yong. “We were terrified, and we didn’t know if she would make it through the night. She was placed on the heart transplant list, and within 72 hours a heart became available. Addison became the very first baby to receive a heart transplant at BC Children’s Hospital. She is now 12 years old, active, happy, and healthy. This is why our family supports Triple Crown for Heart, as all community support and every donation, no matter the size, adds up to a mighty impact on sick and injured children and their families across the province.”
“It’s wonderful to see so many British Columbians come together and provide incredible support for Triple Crown for Heart and the children and families we serve,” said Marie Campbell, Founder, Triple Crown for Heart. “Triple Crown for Heart has raised more than $240,000 dollars since 2010, and our goal is to raise over $35,000 this year. The Triple Crown for Heart Cycling event route represents a heartbeat. Each of the three mountains that these cyclists climb represents the three main parts of a heartbeat.”
One in every 100 children in British Columbia is born with a heart condition. Cardiac Service at BC Children’s Hospital cares for approximately 5,000 children and has more than 10,000 patient visits every year. The quality of care has risen, the number of patients seeking help has increased, and the team required to provide care has expanded. Cardiac Services at BC Children’s Hospital has also expanded the world-class care it offers, including heart transplantation being one of only two centres in Western Canada with this specialty.
For more information on Triple Crown for Heart visit https://triplecrownforheart.ca/the-cause.
The Triple Crown for Heart welcomes direct donations from donors and sponsors. To donate please visit https://donations.triplecrownforheart.ca/team_fundraising/. To sponsor this event please contact us at sponsorship@triplecrownforheart.ca.
About BC Children’s Hospital Foundation
BC Children’s Hospital is the only hospital in the province devoted exclusively to the care of children and youth. It’s one of the few pediatric medical and teaching facilities in Canada with an acute care centre, research institute, mental health facility and rehabilitation centre all in one place. BC Children’s provides specialized care, innovative therapies, and pediatric expertise for BC’s kids, including the sickest and most seriously injured. BC Children’s Hospital Foundation raises funds to provide kids with excellence in health care by continuously driving advancements provincially and globally. The generosity of donors fuels our ability to conquer childhood diseases, prevent illness and injury, and prioritize the unique needs of kids in every aspect of their care. Follow us at @bcchf or visit bcchf.ca for more information.
Media Contacts:
Kari Kylo
SOMA Public Relations
(604) 889-8057