A heart of gold

Jan Rooks was known for her big heart. She loved music, hiking, friends and family. Most of all, she loved the children she helped, working as a cardiac nurse at BC Children’s Hospital. She was known by colleagues and patients alike as someone who went out of her way to help families during their most difficult times. She was a light in their darkness.

Jan’s light will never go out. Although she is no longer with us—she passed away in 2014 doing what she loved, hiking in Nepal— her legacy of love lives on.

Jan’s family wanted to honour her memory in a way that would reflect her heart. They decided to support a pilot project to bring on a psychologist at BC Children’s Heart Centre who would help families at the clinic navigate through their experience dealing with a heart condition. As well, their donation would support research assessing the long-term emotional and psychological impact of heart surgeries on kids and their families.

Through their generosity, Jan’s family has found a way to honour her memory—even with children and families who will never meet her.