Kira Young from Yellowknife, N.W.T., recently completed her 10-day, 1,600-km charity bike ride from the territorial capital, Yellowknife, to Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton. Young’s endeavour highlighted rheumatic diseases and the challenges of travel for health care while raising over $80,000 for those who need support.
Young’s fundraising effort surpassed its original target of $50,000 and exceeded $80,000 last month. All funds will be donated to the charity Cassie and Friends, which supports children with juvenile arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
Young grew up in Yellowknife and became sick as a teenager. She had to travel extensively over three years from Yellowknife to Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton for medical emergencies before being diagnosed with a rare autoinflammatory disease. Her bike ride between the two points retraced the journey she had taken many times and highlighted the challenges of travel for health care.
During her journey, Young shared the challenges of rheumatic diseases and medical travel with families along the route. There was a celebration at the finish line when her bike ride concluded at Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton.
Young is pursuing her undergraduate degree in arts and science at McMaster University. She is invested in finding a solution to the issue of medical travel for people in the Northwest Territories and is working toward the goal of more accessible health care in the North.
