Since Jax Davenport was born, Collingwood General & Marine Hospital (CGMH) has become a familiar place.
Jax was born with Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT), which means she has an irregularly fast/erratic heartbeat (arrhythmia) that affects the heart's upper chambers. During episodes of erratic heartbeat, Jax's heart sometimes requires help from medical professionals to return to a steady rhythm.
Originally from Guelph, Jax, Shawtelle and her husband Drew spent a lot of time at McMaster Hospital and SickKids Hospital dealing with her health following her birth. The family decided to move to Collingwood after they dealt with a particularly bad episode where, out of necessity, they had to take Jax to CGMH.
“The hospital was able to get her IV site within minutes... and restart her heart within 45 minutes. It was the fastest turnaround time we’d ever had,” said Shawtelle. “My husband and I looked at each other and decided we were moving here.”
In order to give back to the community that has given the three-year-old and her family so much, The Davenports are embarking on a mission to raise $10,000 through the fifth annual 24H Blue MTN fundraising event, the proceeds of which will go toward the Collingwood General & Marine Hospital Foundation and Special Olympics.
“The hospital has saved Jax’s life so many times,” said Shawtelle Davenport, Jax’s mother. “It’s so important to us that if we can’t pay it back, we want to pay it forward. We’re trying to teach Jax the importance of supporting (people) in your own backyard and helping other kids and families in need.”
24H Blue MTN is welcoming teams of up to 12 skiers or snowboarders to Blue Mountain Resort for the relay-style fundraiser to run Feb. 25-26, 2023.
The Davenport’s team for the fundraiser – called Jax Shreds It Forward – is also selling hoodies through Crossfit Industries with the team’s logo, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going toward the goal.
“The community is really standing behind us for this, which is awesome,” said Shawtelle. “When push comes to shove, CGMH is there. It’s a fantastic hospital for the people who really need it.”
If you’d like to donate to Jax’s fundraiser, click here.
For more information on the 24H Blue MTN fundraiser, click here.
