September 2, 2015
Story by Francis Silvaggio
Brent Thorkelson is a self-proclaimed adrenalin junkie.
The 25-year paramedic and former competitive race-car driver is driven to succeed, attacking every challenge like the high-speed courses he used to race on.
“I like the idea of having to make critical decision-making, thoughts and processes on the fly,” says Thorkelson, Senior Staff Development Officer for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) with Alberta Health Services. “And in this (EMS) profession, especially in this day and age, we can make a tremendous amount of difference to patient outcomes in a very short period of time.”
Four years ago, Thorkelson shifted gears and combined his passions to head in a different direction.
“My son and I always wanted to raise awareness for kids’ cancer, but the problem is that when we’re competing … it’s just nonstop,” he says. “So we never really had the time or opportunity to mix competitive racing with a good cause until now.”
Along with his son and wife, Thorkelson set up Hands Together for a Cure, an annual fundraising event that supports the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta, which provides important funding for research and education, as well as hospital and outreach programs.
“I personally have a really tough time with children who have been afflicted by cancer,” says Thorkelson. “There are few things in this world that can be considered accidents. There’s always a cause except when it comes to a child with cancer. That is an accident. They didn’t do anything to deserve it.”
Since 2012, Hands Together for a Cure has raised nearly $55,000 by giving donors a chance to ride with Thorkelson in his Porsche 911 GT3 at the annual Knox Mountain Hill Climb in Kelowna, B.C.
The fundraising event also gives young cancer patients and survivors a chance to buckle in beside Thorkelson for the ride of their lives.
“I meet some incredible families and some incredible kids,” says Thorkelson. “These kids who are suffering from cancer and are battling cancer or are in remission see life through a different lens. They are amazing individuals.”
Thorkelson is already preparing for next year’s event.
