Be Active Every Day 2016 was a Thriller

This year was the biggest Be Active Every Day event to date with more than 5800 kids in 60 schools answering the 60 minute activity challenge laid out by local doctors. Doctors of BC members went above and beyond the call engaging with their local communities to arrange classes with local dance studios, connect with local MLAs, and work with schools to get kids active. Across the province kids, schools, and health care professionals engaged at the community level, providing great success stories. 

The Divisions of Family Practice continued to be an integral part of community engagement this year. The Nanaimo Division approached its local school district and coordinated with 10 doctors who delivered more than 60 presentations reaching 1,100 kids. And the Chilliwack Division reached 1,000 kids in the Fraser Valley through the efforts of its team and 8 doctors.

“My daughter is in the BAED program at school and she is talking about it and filling in her journal (with parent help) and loved the bracelet!!”

- Atlee James, Parent and Chilliwack resident

Dr Dieter DeBruin, from the Campbell River Division of Family practice, partnered with Heather Larkam, owner of Urban Dance Connection, to practice a group dance routine with 250 kids at Ocean Grove Elementary School in Campbell River.

 “Thank you to the organization for helping us focus on healthy lifestyles."

- Graeme Boyd, Ocean Grove Elementary School, Campbell River BC

Dr Satish Desai enlisted local MLA and six-time Paralympic Champion Michelle Stilwell to celebrate the end of the challenge at Nanoose Bay Elementary School on Vancouver Island, providing kids with an opportunity to hear from a successful role model who is dedicated to active living.

In the northern community of Mackenzie, the Northern Health Authority, five doctors, a nurse practitioner, medical clinic managers, and community members descended on Morfee Elementary school where they rotated through the school’s 16 gym classes throughout October encouraging kids to be more active. With so many health care professionals eager to work with the kids each gym class had at least two visits, with some classes getting as many as four. 

Doctors of BC President, Dr Alan Ruddiman, challenged – and was challenged by - enthusiastic kids in his interior home town of Oliver BC. And schools in North Vancouver, Burnaby, and Surrey learned about active healthy lifestyles from their local doctors. 

Congratulations go out to all the kids who completed the challenge and a big thank you to the many doctors, school staff, medical students, resident doctors, and other medical professionals who helped make this year’s event such a success.

Now…Let’s Dance!