Alberta Brothers on cross-country roller-skiing trek To stop at Montreal's Royal Victoria Hospital (MUHC)
Two brothers from Camrose, Alberta will be rolling into Montreal on THURSDAY, JULY 18, as they rollerski the 6,245 kilometers from Edmonton to St. John's, Newfoundland in an effort to thank Canada's unsung heroes — families who have donated a family member's organs and tissue so that others may live. Their trek began in Edmonton May 31st. By the time they arrive at the Royal Victoria Hospital of the Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Health Centre, they will have rollerskied nearly 4,000 kilometers.
Mike Ross, 23, and his brother Tim, 22, know first hand the positive impact of those donations. Their launch coincides with the 10th anniversary of their 14-year-old sister Jennie's liver transplant, an event that made it possible for their close-knit family to remain complete.
This summer, the Canadian Transplant Games will be held August 6th in St. John's, Newfoundland. These Games are an opportunity for transplant athletes to participate in Olympic-style events — a testimonial that organ donation really does work. Mike and Tim plan to arrive in Newfoundland in time for the Games, after rollerskiing an average of 100 km each day.
Along the way, the Ross brothers are participating in community events to personally say "Thanks 100 Times Over" to those courageous families, Canada's unsung heroes. In Montreal, the public is invited to join them on Thursday, July 18 at 10:30 a.m., as they rollerskate from the intersection of Sherbrooke and University Sts., all the way up to the Royal Victoria Hospital where they will meet representatives of the organ and tissue donation community and honour a number of local unsung heroes. (Nurses' Lounge- H4)