Canuck Place Children’s Hospice hosted the 10th annual Adventure Race and saw over 130 participants race through the trails of Spanish Banks and Pacific Spirit Park, raising funds and awareness for BC’s pediatric palliative care provider.
The multi-sport fundraiser which took place at Locarno Beach on Sunday, September 13, was originally scheduled to include a three-kilometre kayak portion for the adult and teen participants but it was cancelled due to the high winds.
“Life is an adventure, and that is what [Canuck Place Adventure Race] was all about,” said Margaret McNeil, Canuck Place CEO. “Facing the unknown and making adaptations as you go along is what children with life-threatening illnesses and their families face every day. For 20 years, the specialized clinical team at Canuck Place has provided the complex medical care and support these children need to live in the moment together with their families.”
Despite the change in race plan, participants successfully completed the trail ride and run portions of the course under sunny skies. Over 65 kids navigated an obstacle course, a two-kilometre bike ride and 1km run through Locarno Beach Park. In addition, five Canuck Place kids and their families participated in the kids’ course using specialized adapted duet bikes and TrailRiders.
“I was thrilled about Griffin’s participation in the event again this year,” said Alysone Martel, Canuck Place mom to Griffin. “Not only to support Canuck Place but to demonstrate that kids like Griffin have a place in the world and can participate just like anyone else.”
In addition to training for the event, participants also raised much needed funding for day-to-day operations of Canuck Place programs and the 600 children and families from across BC that they care for. Pediatric palliative care is a complex and growing field. Canuck Place is seeing a higher volume of cases requiring specialized medical care for children with life-threatening illnesses and offering programs that support the psychological, social and spiritual needs of each family.
About Canuck Place
Canuck Place Children’s Hospice supports children with life-threatening illnesses through respite for the entire family, pain and symptom care, 24-hour province-wide family support, art, education, music and recreation therapy, bereavement counselling and end-of-life care. Whether life is measured in days, weeks or months, children deserve the opportunity to learn, develop and grow. Canuck Place helps children and families live courageously through life’s most challenging circumstances.
Vancity Buzz is a proud media sponsor of Canuck Place Adventure Race.
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