Two hundred patients who have undergone orthopedic surgery to replace
hips, knees and other joints will take part in the seventh annual
Hip Hip Hooray walk along Spanish Banks on Sunday, May 31.
The short walk begins at 11 a.m. as part of a cross-Canada effort
to raise money to support orthopedic research, education and patient
care. The event attracts close to 7,000 sponsored walkers in 54
locations from St. John’s, Nfld. to Victoria, B.C.
“We call it a celebration of mobility,” says Prof. Robert McGraw,
one of 40 surgeons in UBC’s Dept. of Orthopedics. “This event gives
patients and doctors a chance to get together for a symbolic walk.
For many of these people, young and old, such a walk wasn’t possible
prior to surgery.”
Before the walk, participants are led in a light aerobic workout
and shown the latest breakthroughs in the field of orthopedics with
videos and hands-on displays. McGraw, past-president of the Canadian
Orthopedic Association, says many of the innovations originated
in B.C.
“People may not realize that this province has some of the best
orthopedic surgeons in the country, if not North America,” says
McGraw, a reconstructive surgeon who specializes in hips and knees.
Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna were among the original 31 cities
participating in Hip Hip Hooray in 1992. Vernon, New Westminster,
Campbell River and Cranbrook are other B.C. sites.
Vancouver has raised more than $180,000 since 1992. B.C. walkers
combined have raised more than $620,000.
This year’s celebration at Spanish Banks includes a special tribute
to Juliette Cavazzi, CBC Television’s “Our Pet Juliette.” Cavazzi,
who has undergone reconstructive knee surgery, will be inducted
into the Hip Hip Hooray Hall of Fame for her seven years of support.
The walk begins at the parking lot at the western end of Spanish
Banks.
National Hip Hip Hooray statistics include: 10,000 donors (patients
who do not walk but make a donation); 50,000 friends and neighbors
who support walkers with a donation; 13,000 event volunteers; 1,000
orthopedic surgeons and other health-care professionals who participate.
-30-
