Yellowknife resident Kira Young completed a 10-day, 1,600-kilometre bike ride from Yellowknife to Edmonton on June 19, raising awareness about childhood rheumatic diseases.

She is also raising the awareness about the challenges many northern families face when accessing specialized healthcare.

According to Jennifer Wilson, executive director of Cassie and Friends, the journey raised $77,791.15, exceeding the goal of $50,000.

Young stopped in Slave Lake on June 13, where she was welcomed by members of the Slave Lake RCMP, local firefighters and EMS personnel.

The Lakeside Leader spoke with Young during her stop in town. She described the journey as worthwhile.

According to a Facebook post by Slave Lake Mayor Francesca Ward, Young’s journey from Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife to the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton was about much more than endurance.

The ride retraced the many trips Young and her family made while seeking treatment for a rare autoinflammatory disease.

Through the journey, she hoped to highlight the challenges faced by northern, rural and remote families who must travel long distances to access specialized medical care, says Mayor Ward.

“We are honoured to be one of the communities along her route and look forward to giving her a warm Slave Lake welcome,” says Mayor Ward.

Julia Magsombol

Lakeside Leader