Triple Crown for Heart

Dear Triple Crown Volunteers, Sponsors, Donors, and Riders:

Thank you so much for supporting us with your hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm in making the 15th anniversary of the Triple Crown for Heart such a tremendous success. This year, together, we have raised more than $40,000 so far, which is an outstanding achievement in today’s economy. There is still time to donate to help support our outstanding charities!

It was wonderful to see so many cyclists riding together. Despite a challenging start with heavy rain after leaving Ron Andrews, spirits stayed high. The weather gradually improved, though the clouds never completely left us during the 83km ride.

Your support and passion helped to strengthen our cycling community and improve the lives of children and families who rely on BC Children’s Hospital and Children’s Heart Network. Thank you for making this 15th anniversary such a memorable milestone. We hope to see you again next year: save the date for July 17, 2027!

With sincere gratitude,
—
The Triple Crown for Heart Organizing Committee

At the Heart of our Ride

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) affects 1%-2% of children and is responsible for more than a quarter of all deaths in children. (1, 2) In Canada, infants with severe CHD have hospitalization rates 20 times greater than those without CHD. (3, 4)

Having access to cardiac care and repair is still somewhat rare throughout the world.  In some cases, children wait for years to see a cardiac specialist. We are both very lucky and proud to have Cardiac services at children’s hospital here in BC.  At BC Children’s hospital, between 400-500 cardiac surgeries are performed each year. Cardiac services also provides outreach clinics to rural communities throughout BC and the Yukon.  

Once children and teens have had surgery their healing journey continues. Having a heart condition can make it challenging to get back out into the world, to make friends and return to normal daily life. (5)  Parents and families of these children face a unique and challenging experience through every stage of their child’s medical journey, from diagnosis to surgical experience, to the care and life-long healing of a child with CHD. (6, 7) 

How We Help

The Triple Crown for Heart raises funds to provide support to cardiac children and families on their healing journeys through two charities. First, we donate funds to inpatient cardiac wards at BC Children’s Hospital (T6 at BC Children’s Hospital Cardiac inpatient and ward Neuroscience/Cardiac Surgery) through the BCCH foundation. These funds go towards small attainable projects that promote healing and comfort and improve the family’s experience while in hospital. Examples of projects include the renovation and maintenance of an outdoor garden, contribution to the ICU family waiting area for a comfortable sofa bed, providing consistent refreshments for parents in patient kitchens.  

Second, the Triple Crown donates funds to the Children’s Heart Network camp for cardiac kids, Camp Zajac. Offered each year for school aged children, the popular camp provides a chance for children and teens to experience social and outdoor recreational activities with 24 hour on-site medical supervision and a direct link to the cardiologist-on-call at BC Children’s Hospital if needed. Last year the Triple Crown provided enough funds to fully cover one of their two camps! We know that children and teens are at risk for depression and loneliness due to isolation. Read more about the impact of our ride on the CHN in their Winter 2026 newsletter. We are proud to fund this wonderful charity as they provide excellent opportunities for our heart children to make friends and experience new activities in a safe and supportive setting.

Show Your Heart

Whether you’re a seasoned participant or this is the first you’ve heard of The Triple Crown for Heart, we’d love to welcome you into our community of riders, donors, sponsors and volunteers this July 18. We hope you will join us for our 15th Anniversary event!

—
Marie Campbell 
Founder and Chair
On behalf of the Triple Crown for Heart Association

1. van der Linde D., Konings E.E., Slager M.A. Birth prevalence of congenital heart disease worldwide: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2011;58:2241–2247. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2011.08.025. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]. 

2.  Benjamin E.J., Virani S.S., Callaway C.W. Heart disease and stroke statistics-2018 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2018;137:e67–e492. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000558. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar] 

3. Faraoni D., Nasr V.G., DiNardo J.A. Overall hospital cost estimates in children with congenital heart disease: analysis of the 2012 Kid’s Inpatient Database. Pediatr Cardiol. 2016;37:37–43. doi: 10.1007/s00246-015-1235-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar].

4. Harris K.C. Congenital heart disease: surgical repair is just the beginning, Canadian Journal of Cardiology. 2018;34:1250–1252. doi: 10.1016/j.cjca.2018.07.414. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar].

5. Marlies Maes, PhD, Win Van den Noortgate. PhD, Suzanne F. Fastolo-Gunnink, MSc Jessic Rassart, MSc, Koen Luyckx Ph D, Luc Goossens, Ph D Loneliness in Children and Adolescent with Chronic Physical Conditions: A Meta0Analysis. Journal of Pediatric Psychology. Volume 42, Issue 6, July 2017, Page 622-635.

6. Tuck, Heather Bsn, RN MN, Schumacher, Connie, RN, PhD.  Supports for Parents of Infants Diagnosed with a Congenital Heart Defect: A Narrative Synthesis of Qualitative Research. Canadian Journal of Cardiac Nursing Volume 35, Issue 2, Fall 2025. https://cccn.ca/_uploads/695e739fc586c.pdf.

7. Nemes, F Dylan BSc, Bennett, Erica V PhD, Harris, Harris, Kevin C, MD, MHSc, Wall, Nicholas BSc, Voss, Christine, PhD. Growing Up with Congenital Heart Disease: A Qualitative Research Study of Parents’ and Clinicians’ Experience and Perspectives. Volume 4, Issue 1 Pg 22-33 Feb 2025 https://www.cjcpc.ca/article/S2772-8129(24)00105-2/fulltext.