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Bike-a-thon raises $18,200

This year, the Bike-A-Thon raised $18,220, bringing the grand total to over $130,000!

Since 2010, the Bike-A-Thon has raised funds to support healthcare initiatives in northern B.C. through the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation.

The ninth annual Bike-A-Thon, sponsored by the Punjabi Canadian Senior Society, that took place Saturday September 8 have totalled their funds and recently made their presentation. Each year the group departs the Guru Nanak Darbar Sikh Temple at 8 a.m. and cyclists of all ages bike all the way to Purden Lake where they are treated with a picnic provided by the Punjabi Canadian Senior Society.

The participants then bike back to Prince George in the afternoon. Not only does this event raise funds for a great cause, but it is a great way to get out for a day of fun, fresh air and exercise.

“This is an extremely successful event, which has grown steadily over the years,” said Judy Neiser, CEO of Spirit of the North. “We are very appreciative of the Bike-A-Thon participants and coordinator’s work in support of healthcare in our community.”

Over the years they have supported our areas of greatest need, including our regional Cardiac Campaign, Optos OCT-SLO for the eye clinic, and Spect CT Scanner. This year’s Bike-A-Thon was in support of our current campaign to raise funds for a Dedicated Maternal Operating Room at the University Hospital of Northern BC.

Currently at UHNBC in Prince George there are eight fully functional operating rooms, none that are currently dedicated to maternity. This means that the reality is often, too often, scheduled surgeries are postponed, or moved when the OR has to be readied for an emergency C-Section or twin delivery. The addition of the Dedicated Maternal OR will mean a safer entry into the world for our littlest patients, more peace of mind for families as they plan for this special day, and less disruption to scheduled operations at UHNBC.

“It is important that the money raised stays here locally to help, and that our event draws the community together,” said Gordie Powar, the Bike-A-Thon Coordinator. “I would like to say a special thanks to Dr. Mann. I couldn’t do the event without him, and thank you to all of the participants who help us and work hard on this.”

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