Ruby McDonald is participating in the Heart & Stroke Jump Rope for Heart this year at Ecole Lac des Bois May 10 and 11 to make sure children can enjoy their grandparents for as long as possible.
Her great grandfather Leo died at age 56 due to heart disease leaving Ruby's mom bereft of her grandfather at five years old, the same age Ruby is now.
"I like playing with my grandfathers - I have three," said Ruby proudly, with mom Amanda Ramsay looking on. "We used to play soccer all the time."
Ruby now participates in the local soccer league.
The kindergarten student has raised $200 so far and hopes to raise more for the cause.
"I think it's really important to get the information out there about heart health," said Ramsay, who encouraged her daughter to fundraise for the Heart & Stroke Foundation just as she did when she was in elementary school.
Most schools in the school district participate in the Jump Rope for Heart event that ends May 31, said Yoko Heise, school programs coordinator for the Northern B.C. branch of the B.C. & Yukon Heart & Stroke Foundation.
"Lac des Bois is in second place for B.C. & the Yukon and has raised more than $20,000," said Heise. "The whole school jumped at lunch time for the whole month of April. The teachers are so good about getting the children involved in the Jump Rope for Heart program. Every single student made an effort and it made a huge difference. There is a strong connection with heart disease and stroke and so many parents were involved, too. I am so proud of all the students."
There have been many Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) placed throughout the community as a result of the student's fundraising efforts, added Heise.
The life-saving devices are in several seniors' activity centres and on Northern Health's Connections buses.
People can still donate to the cause through Ruby's online page at pgc.cc/1Zf5iV3 or donate directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
