A local resident and cardiology nurse at BC Children’s Hospital will be cycling to the top of three North Vancouver mountains in a day for a fundraiser next week.
Emily Tai is hoping to complete a 76-kilometre trek with 2,3000 metres of elevation on July 15 for the Triple Crown for Heart fundraiser in support of inpatient cardiac patients at BC Children’s Hospital.
The route, made up of the three North Vancouver mountains Seymour, Grouse and Cypress, represents the three main parts of a heartbeat.
Tai told the Richmond News she saw firsthand how the fundraiser has benefitted her young patients, especially those who managed to access expensive specialized formula for their heart surgery thanks to the funding.
“This is why I’m doing it every year. This is why I do it, all three mountains, and to raise money - so that when I discharge these kids, I’m not worrying about them… having no money to pay for this formula,” she said.
“I just hope that people… know that, from what I’m experiencing, that I know where this money is going,” said Tai.
The formula is a temporary necessity for the kids but is not covered by government supports. Although patients would normally get connected to social workers for assistance, Tai said funding was hard to come by before they got help from Triple Crown for Heart.
Triple Crown for Heart, founded in 2010, funds nutritional and comfort items for children during their stay, including specialized formula for those in need. Part of the funds also goes toward funding a two-week camp for children and teens with congenital or acquired heart disease. It has raised more than $240,000 since 2010 and the goal for this year is to surpass the $35,000 mark.
Tai started riding for the fundraiser in 2015 at the suggestion of her colleague. It was also her first venture into riding road bikes.
“I didn’t know how to ride clipless pedals, and so I learned it on my own and just started it, and you just go do one mountain at a time. And then now I’ve just been cycling since,” she explained.
She describes the fundraiser as an event for cyclists to come together and “motivate each other to ride up these three mountains, which are quite challenging, all to raise money for BC Children’s Heart Centre, the ward, the kids.”
She added that the main goal of the event is to support charity, and cyclists are not required to complete the routes for all three mountains.
“I’ve learned over the years that it’s super beneficial for the kids at (BC Children’s Hospital) with heart conditions,” said Tai.
“And I just hope that people can be aware of this fundraiser, that they know that, from what I’m experiencing, that I know where this money is going.”
To learn more about Triple Crown for the Heart, click here.
