Rhythm of Life run/walk comes to Burnaby Lake Sunday
This Sunday, Dr. David Yap is hitting the trails for a cause.
As runners and walkers converge to support Burnaby Hospital at the 14th annual Rhythm of Life fun run at Burnaby Lake Regional Park, Yap will be strapping down his helmet and hopping on his bike as a Bike Patrol volunteer.
As an emergency room doctor at Burnaby Hospital, he is equipped to handle challenging situations—something he receives a fair share of in the ER.
“We see everything. In the ER, we see everyone from newborns to 100-year-old patients. We see people with medical issues and also psychiatric or emotional issues; people going through tough times in their lives. We see everything,” said Yap.
But it’s a job he finds very rewarding, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“In the ER, you get to see the changes that you implement and you feel intrinsically rewarded that you’re making a difference right there and then. The gratification of this work is the challenge and variety of the medical issues and the knowing fact that you are making a difference in a patient’s life. A sincere thank you from a patient or family member makes my day.”
On Sunday (his day off from the ER), he is giving his own thanks to all of the patients he helps by volunteering his time to ensure runners and walkers at Rhythm of Life are safe.
He has also set a goal to raise $1,000 to support the Healthy Heart Program and help purchase a $65,000 Adult Ventilator at the hospital, and is encouraging the community to help him reach his goal by visiting his personal fundraising page at: http://bit.ly/Q411Ax.
To him, it’s a small gesture of thanks to the hospital’s patients and supporters, but it’s one he feels strongly about.
“Without the support of the community, the staff here in the ER wouldn’t be able to provide the level of care that we do to the community.”
Rhythm of Life’s 10km, 5km, and 1km fun run and walk is happening on Sunday, Sept. 9 at Burnaby Lake Regional Park (3760 Sperling Ave. at the end of Sprott St.). Registration opens at 8:30 a.m., and the event is followed by a barbeque burger lunch, Health Fair, live entertainment and family fun activities. To register or make a donation, visit www.RhythmOfLifeRun.ca or call 604-431-2823.
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