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UNBC JDC West chillin’ out in hopes of raising $26,000 for Spirit of the North

Students jumping into pool of ice water a 12th straight year

A polar bear swim is coming earlier for a group of UNBC students that hope to raise as much money as they can for Spirit of the North.

The school’s JDC West team will once again jump into a big pool of ice water in quirky costumes for the 12th consecutive year with a goal of fundraising $26,000 for some much-needed equipment at University Hospital of Northern BC (UHNBC).

The 2019 Chillin’ for Charity event this week will see up to 50 students hop into the frigid waters.

“It is important for us because we are passionate about giving back to our local community and we have been partnered with Judy [Neiser] and Spirit of the North for several years now, and it has been very rewarding for both parties,” said Kelsey Cloarec with JDC West to PrinceGeorgeMatters.

She explains the fundraising goal this year is as specific as it is because the UNBC squad tries to one-up itself from the previous dip.

“Our goal was $25,000 [in 2018], but we ended with $27,000,” said Cloarec. “We increase the goal yearly to push ourselves and maintain our ‘charity school of the year’ status at the competition.”

Regardless of how much money is raised, Cloarec says JDC West is donating the total to Spirit of the North in helping them purchasing a Boston Scientific SpyGlass DS system.

“This SpyGlass enables direct visualization of the pancreatic and bile ducts, is used to evaluate suspected benign and malignant conditions, and is used for the treatment of difficult stones. This system is less invasive and does not require sedation.”

Chillin’ for Charity takes place this Friday (Nov. 8) between 1 and 4 p.m. in the CN Centre parking lot and students are set to jump into the pool every 20 minutes.

If you wish to make a donation to JDC West’s cause, you can go to UNBC’s Chillin’ for Charity fundraiser page.

The online campaign runs until Dec. 31.