Meet Canuck Place‘s very own Merida – she’s five and loves music, painting and making magic wands!

Charlie-Anne is a child on the Canuck Place program who suffers from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). SMA refers to a group of diseases which affect the motor neurons of the spinal cord and brain stem. Even though Charlie-Anne faces medical challenges on a daily basis, she is just like every other kid at heart. She loves listening to music, watching movies, making crafts, painting and making magic wands and faces out of apples! See for yourself:

This year, on September 7, the lovely Charlie-Anne is participating in the Kids’ Course of Canuck Place Adventure Race with her dad Matt, while her mother Cherie races in the Long Course.

“Raising money for Canuck Place feels amazing,” said Cherie. “One thing everyone can agree on is that it’s never fair when a child gets sick. People want to do everything they can to help.”

As a Canuck Place mom, preparing for events like the Adventure Race has been more than just about physical fitness, it has been therapeutic. “All the training really helped clear my head and helped me stay positive in tough times – it still does,” said Cherie. She has been an active fundraiser for Canuck Place for many years, participating in several Canuck Place fitness-related events and raising thousands of dollars.

The 2014 Canuck Place Adventure Race features a kayak, mountain bike, and trail run elements. The event includes an exciting start/finish line, a Long Course and a Short Course, as well as a Kids Race (6 and older). The Kids’ Race includes Assisted Sail, Mountain Bike and Trail Run. The race course highlights the beauty of Vancouver’s most stunning scenery, including Jericho Beach, Spanish Banks and Pacific Spirit Park! All proceeds from the event will go to Canuck Place Children’s Hospice (CPCH) in support of critical care for children like Charlie-Anne and her loving family.