Achi news desk-
The life-saving heart clinic at the QEII Health Sciences Center in Halifax has been renamed in honor of Jordan Boyd – a 16-year-old hockey player who tragically lost his life to a rare, inherited heart disease that went undiagnosed.
The incident occurred on August 11, 2013 when Jordan was attending his first training camp with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, now known as the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.
Ten minutes after stepping on the ice, Jordan collapsed from cardiac arrest. It was later determined that he had an undiagnosed heart condition called Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC).
On Thursday, the QEII Foundation unveiled the new Jordan Boyd Inherited Heart Disease Clinic.
A news release from the organization says this historic milestone celebrates Jordan’s lasting legacy, as well as the impact created in his memory by the Boyd family and their supporters.
(Source: QEII Foundation)
Since Jordan’s death, his family has dedicated their time to reducing the incidence of sudden cardiac arrest in individuals living with known or suspected genetic heart conditions.
To date, the Boyd family has raised $1.2 million net – in partnership with the QEII foundation – to fund vital research into hereditary heart disease at the same QEII clinic that will now be named in Jordan’s honor.
“The Jordan Boyd Legacy Heart Clinic allows us to continue to establish a legacy for our son, continue his compassion and care for others, and fulfill a promise that he will not be forgotten,” said Stephen Boyd, Jordan’s father.
“Today’s unveiling is such a proud moment for our family and for everyone who has supported us and continues to support us on this journey.”
That tour Jordan’s father mentioned includes eight community events, including the Jordan Boyd Celebrity Hockey Challenge and the Jordan Boyd Celebrity Golf Challenge.
Jordan Boyd was attending training camp for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan when he collapsed on the ice in August 2013.
“Without a doubt, the Boyd family has moved the needle in hereditary heart disease research,” said Dr. Martin Gardner, cardiologist and founder of the Jordan Boyd Inherited Heart Disease Clinic.
Gardner says the clinic is a national leader in this field and plays a key role in screening, monitoring and treating Maritime families living with known or suspected inherited heart conditions.
“The world-class expertise and evidence-based care available through the Jordan Boyd Legacy Heart Clinic is possible thanks, in part, to the incredible leadership and generosity of the Boyd family,” Gardner said. .
“I have had the privilege of working with the family for over a decade and this official naming epitomizes their tireless efforts to honor Jordan and create change and impact in his memory.”
Susan Mullin, president and CEO of the QEII Foundation, says the renaming is just another way to honor Jordan’s lasting legacy, which the Boyd family has worked so hard to perpetuate.
“Every patient, every family and our healthcare teams who receive and deliver care at the Jordan Boyd Legacy Heart Clinic will share in the amazing legacy the Boyd family has created at a time of tremendous loss ,” Mullin said.
“Lives will be changed and will continue to be saved at the Jordan Boyd Legacy Heart Clinic, which is an incredible tribute to our son and brother,” said Stephen, on behalf of the family.
“Jordan would be humbled yet proud to see this.”
For more Nova Scotia news visit our dedicated provincial page.
