The Shah Family Foundation was proud to support Kira’s Ride, a 1,600-kilometre cycling journey from Yellowknife to Edmonton led by Kira Young to raise awareness of rheumatic diseases and the challenges of accessing healthcare in rural, remote and northern communities.
Over 10 days, Kira travelled from Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife to the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, averaging approximately 160 kilometres each day. Her journey was deeply personal. Having grown up in Yellowknife and experienced serious health challenges herself, Kira understands firsthand the realities of travelling long distances to access specialized medical care.
The ride raised more than $80,000 for Cassie and Friends, a Canadian organization supporting children and families affected by juvenile arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, surpassing its original $50,000 fundraising goal.
Along the route, Kira connected with families and young people living with rheumatic diseases, hearing stories that reflected many of her own experiences. These conversations highlighted not only the impact of these conditions, but also the significant distances many northern families must travel to receive the care they need.
For the Shah Family Foundation, supporting Kira’s Ride reflects our commitment to initiatives that improve access to healthcare and create meaningful opportunities for communities to come together around important issues. We believe that meaningful impact is not always measured by the size of a contribution. Supporting organizations like Cassie and Friends also means helping amplify their work, raise awareness of the issues they address, and bring greater visibility to the communities they serve.
We are proud to have supported Kira and Cassie and Friends in bringing greater attention to the experiences of children and families navigating healthcare challenges across northern Canada.
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