On May 9th, 2015 The Iron Horse Trail was alive with over 200 riders on horseback and wagon, all there to support organ and tissue donation through The 4th Annual 2nd Chance Trail Ride. The event also featured a dinner and dance, which was sold out with a 400 person capacity.
Faye Irvine, organizer for the event, says the money raised during the fourth annual event came in part from sponsorship, entry fees for riders, dinner/dance ticket sales and the silent and live auction. The organization had a goal to raise $60 000 but far surpassed it with over $70 000 raised.
The money will be split four ways, says Irvine, “50 percent of the funds goes to The Good Hearts Foundation,” an organization that houses organ and tissue transplant patients in Edmonton in apartments while they are going through the process. The apartments allow patients to rest and recover, as well as, give family members the opportunity to stay with the patient rather than commute or live apart.
2nd Chance Trail Ride doesn’t stop at setting up apartments, Irvine says, “20 percent goes to financial assistance for people going through the process.” Whether or not apartments are available for patients there are still added costs such as time off work, daycare for children, relocation, and more. The bills add up, and the goal is to take as much financial stress away from the patient as possible so the patient can focus on recovery.
Another 20 percent of the funds goes to “awareness and promotion”, says Irvine. 2nd Chance Trail Ride pays for billboards and signage at sports complexes, such as Lakeland area arenas, to help promote the importance of organ and tissue donation. The organization really wants to stress that registering online through Alberta’s registry, as well as, talking to family members about your wishes helps ensure that what you want is followed through on should you die.
The final 10 percent of the money raised at the one-day event goes back into the organization so they are able to host it again. Which Irvine has confirmed, “yes we will be hosting it again next year, the Saturday before Mother’s Day.”