Saddle Up for Fifth Annual 2nd Chance Trail Ride

The Second Chance Trail Ride will be taking place this Saturday, May 14th, on The Iron Horse Trail between Lindbergh and Heinsburg, Alberta. Everyone is welcome to come travel the historic trail on horse or join participants in horse-drawn wagons.

The trail ride helps raise funds and awareness for Organ and Tissue Donation and supports those who are going through the organs transplant process. Morris Irvine, a double lung transplant recipient and founding member of The Second Chance Trail Ride says you can get involved in various ways, “you can donate to the organization, participate in the ride, or attend the dinner/dance.”

Irvine says the organization tries to include everyone, even if you do not have a horse to ride, “there’ll be lots of wagons that need people to ride and there’s places for everybody.” If you wish to join to come to Lindbergh between 8:00 and 10:00am on Saturday, May 14th.  Irvine says you may also come for the dinner, “another option is to come for the dinner and dance,” which features a silent and live auction. For tickets to the dinner/dance visit 2nd Chance Trail Ride on Facebook or call Morris at 780-724-4027.

Past events have raised enough funds to support two apartments across from the UofA Hospital in Edmonton through The Good Hearts Foundation. The apartments are used to house patients who are going through the transplant process, as well as the patient’s family members so they are able to live with another and not have to commute to visit one another. The foundation also donated $10,000 for a medical treadmill, which was donated to the University of Alberta Hospital.

The event also served as a registry for Organ and Tissue Donors to sign their cards, which will be done again this year. If you are unable to attend, Alberta has launched their online registry.  Irvine says that even with registering online a person should advise their immediate family and put his/her intentions in a will, “family has the ultimate say should something happen, so register and let your family members know.”

The group has some fantastic items up for grabs for their silent auction at the dinner/dance including a trip for two to Golden, BC. There’s also hockey memorabilia and equestrian goods, like saddles. 2nd Chance Trail Ride would like to thank all the generous sponsors who have helped make the event a success year after year. Anyone wanting to donate or find more information about the event is encouraged to call Morris Irvine’s daughter, Cathy Ockerman at 780-724-2443.