Lachine Half-Marathon- BC Children's Hospital Foundation

On October 6th, I will be running the Lachine Bonneville Half-Marathon in Montréal for the BC Children's Hospital Foundation. BC Children's delivers specialized pediatric healthcare and is the province's major treatment, teaching and research facility for child health, with 93,000 children cared for on an annual basis.

The dedication, excellence, and compassion of the care given at BC Children's has made a difference to so many children, including me. Pediatric healthcare is uniquely valuable because it defines the opportunities that children are able to pursue throughout their lives. My journey to where I am today, both mentally and physically, was certainly not straightforward, and would not have been possible without the empathetic care and support of the staff and programs at BC Children's. While I've obviously aged out of the pediatric system, I wouldn't be capable of pursuing the opportunities and activities that I love without this. Today, I am an enthusiastic runner, climber, hiker, and generally outdoorsy person, and am currently working towards my B.A. in History and International Development at McGill University. This summer, I was able to work in the beautiful area near Tofino, BC, and spent an incredible amount of time being active outdoors. I became especially dedicated to running, making me acutely aware and grateful for the health that I enjoy. None of these opportunities would have been possible without the foundation of a healthy body and mind that BC Children's helped me build.

Working in pediatric healthcare takes a special type of soul to provide the empathy, communication, and kindness that children need to get better, and I can safely say that the healthcare workers at BC Children's go above and beyond for their patients. Whether through their ER, mental health services, specialized clinics, and rehabilitation programs, their research and care is dedicated to so many important issues. I would be extremely grateful if you are able to donate and help me reach my fundraising goal of 1000$. Your contribution can have an impact on another child's health and future.