Twelve-year-old Addison McArthur was only three weeks old when she became the first baby to receive a heart transplant at BC Children香蕉视频直播檚 Hospital. Coincidentally, this year will be the 12th annual Triple Crown for Heart cycling event 香蕉视频直播� an initiative that Addison and her family are helping raise awareness.
After a heart defect went initially undiagnosed after Addison was born, she was placed in the intensive care unit. Doctors said that her heart was 香蕉视频直播渓iterally about to stop,香蕉视频直播� according to her mother, Elaine Yong, who is the manager of communications and community engagement at the BC Transplant Society.
Doctors conducted many tests and scans over the 24 hours and soon realized that this was not something they could easily fix. They concluded that a heart transplant was the only option for survival, and Addison was placed on the transplant list.
Amazingly, a heart became available within 72 hours, something that almost never happens, according to Emily Tai, a cardiology nurse at BC Children香蕉视频直播檚.
香蕉视频直播淢iraculously, within 72 hours 香蕉视频直播� which does not happen 香蕉视频直播� it香蕉视频直播檚 just very rare for a child heart, an infant heart to be available in such a short time frame,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淪he was one lucky girl and her story is pretty remarkable.香蕉视频直播�
On May 8, 2011, the heart transplant was conducted and Addison香蕉视频直播檚 life was saved.
香蕉视频直播淎udrey is the name of Addison香蕉视频直播檚 heart donor, and she provided the ultimate gift for Addison to have a second chance at life,香蕉视频直播� Yong said. 香蕉视频直播淲ithout the great support and care at BC Children香蕉视频直播檚 Hospital, that gift wouldn香蕉视频直播檛 have been utilized.香蕉视频直播�
Yong is forever grateful to BC Children香蕉视频直播檚 and considers them to be a part of her extended family.
香蕉视频直播淭hey wouldn香蕉视频直播檛 just take care of Addison but they were taking care of all of us and the rest of our family and friends,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淭hey made sure we got rest and took care of ourselves as well.香蕉视频直播�
Addison has been going to BC Children香蕉视频直播檚 regularly to be monitored, as the transplant isn香蕉视频直播檛 a cure, and takes medication twice a day to prevent rejection. However, she is still active, happy and healthy today, having just competed in the World Transplant Games held in Perth, Australia in April and continues to support BC Children香蕉视频直播檚 and the Triple Crown for Heart with her family.
The Triple Crown event was founded in 2010 by cardiac nurse Marie Campbell, and has raised over $240,000 since then. This year香蕉视频直播檚 goal is over $35,000. Funds will go towards causes that make sure children can have constant support while they experience inpatient cardiac care during their stay at BC Children香蕉视频直播檚, as well as the opportunity to experience the outdoors and new social experiences with friends at the children香蕉视频直播檚 and teen香蕉视频直播檚 heart summer camp at Camp Zajac.
When Yong and her husband, Aaron McArthur, found out about the Triple Crown event, they were both really excited because he loves cycling and it supports a cause that is important to them.
McArthur is part of the 香蕉视频直播渕iddle-aged men in spandex,香蕉视频直播� a term his wife used to describe him when he first started cycling a decade ago. Addison even added that his outfit 香蕉视频直播渄oesn香蕉视频直播檛 look very good,香蕉视频直播� but McArthur is happy to risk fashion for a good cause, especially one that hits close to home.
The event also means a lot to Tai, as it raises money for the children香蕉视频直播檚 heart unit which is where she works. Formulas, for example, are not covered by the government and can be super expensive. Families would get assistance from social workers, but even funding for the assistance was hard to come by. With the help of the event and fundraiser, families now have one less thing to worry about.
香蕉视频直播淭his event directly impacts the kids I take care of and their families,香蕉视频直播� Tai said. 香蕉视频直播淚 don香蕉视频直播檛 even have to worry about telling families about the formulas, as the event raises money to support these families.香蕉视频直播�
Tai was a novice road biker but has slowly worked her way up and will be participating once again in the Triple Crown. She encourages others to donate and participate as well, and not to be intimidated by the three North Vancouver mountains, as it is a 香蕉视频直播渞eally fun event not just for people who are hardcore cyclists.香蕉视频直播�
The Triple Crown consists of riding to the top of all three mountains, Seymour, Grouse and Cypress, and will start at 8 a.m. on Saturday at Ron Andrews Community Centre.
Although Tai doesn香蕉视频直播檛 know Addison directly, she is aware of her story and her continuing efforts to raise awareness.
香蕉视频直播淚 know she helps her mom with the BC Transplant Society,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淪he香蕉视频直播檚 a huge advocate for transplant donations and very involved with being part of that awareness.香蕉视频直播�
The Triple Crown will take place on Saturday, July 15 in North Vancouver.
For more information, visit and donate at
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