When Addison McArthur of Vancouver wins medals at the World Transplant Games, she sends many of them to Felicia Hill in Reno, Nevada. The heart of Hill’s late daughter, Audrey, beats inside the 13-year-old McArthur after a transplant in 2011 at sa国际传媒 Children’s Hospital when she was three weeks old. She received the heart of Audrey Sullenger, who died at six days old.
It is for recipients such as McArthur that the Simon Keith Foundation Heart of Gold Gala and Concert will be held Aug. 23 at the Victoria Conference Centre. The performers were not announced but the producer of the gala will be Victoria-native Michael Ravenhill, who produces the galas for Victoria-raised music mega-producer David Foster.
“It is going to be world-class talent, already booked, with a special MC,” is all that Keith would allow at this point.
Keith started his foundation 10 years ago and it has raised more than $10 million since with fundraising galas held in his adopted home of Las Vegas. This will be the first in his hometown of Victoria to raise awareness for organ donation and provide support specifically for families whose children have undergone transplants.
Keith made world headlines at age 21 when he was felled by myocarditis, a deterioration of the heart muscle, almost mid-stride when a soccer star for the University of Victoria Vikes who was tabbed as a potential future World Cup player for sa国际传媒.
He became the first athlete to play pro sports after receiving a heart transplant. It was one of the biggest Island news stories of the 1980s when, through community fundraising and support, Keith was able to receive his new heart through a transplant in the United Kingdom in 1986. Keith received the heart of 17-year-old Jonathan Edward of Newport, Wales, who died on the pitch while playing soccer.
“Everybody knows what this city means to me. It means everything to me,” said Keith, 59, a graduate of Mount Douglas Secondary, and father of three.
“I was in a difficult spot and Victoria rallied to save me. This city saved my life.
“Now it means everything to me to be able to pay it forward by supporting heart-transplant recipients like Addison [McArthur].”
Keith’s first heart transplant lasted until 2019, when Keith received a second heart, and a new kidney, in 2019 in San Diego.
“The most important word here is heart and how this showcases the heart of the city,” said Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto, speaking at the media conference Wednesday.
“A city supported Simon. A single person [making an organ donation] can save generations down the line.”
That includes McArthur, in her 13th year post-transplant.
“It means so much and I am so grateful,” said the Grade 8 student.
“My first race was at four, and was 25 metres, and that’s a lot at that age.
She has since competed in Spain, England, Australia and next summer in the 2025 World Transplant Games in Dresden, Germany.
All the Simon Keith Foundation event details for the Victoria gala will be posted to simonkeith.com/foundation.
