This 8-year-old is racing to fundraise for B.C. Children's Hospital

Eight-year-old Jasper Podbrey does not joke around when it comes to racing — especially if it helps fundraise for the B.C. Children's Hospital. 

The Queen Victoria Elementary School student has meticulously organised a team of friends to join him at the Race for the Kids fun run on June 11. 

Jasper's father, Nicholas Podbrey, says the family looks forward to participating in the event and giving back to the hospital that supported them during a challenging time. 

Three years ago, at the age of five, Jasper was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome, a kidney disorder.

"We went through a really trying moment with Jasper … [but the hospital] took care of us," said Nicholas. 

"They couldn't have been more helpful and especially going through that during COVID … and you don't know what's going on."

Jasper, his family, and his friends will be running on Sunday at Riley Park Community Centre. Jasper hopes they'll beat his 2021 fundraising goal of $1,300 and raise $2,000 for the hospital this year. 

As of June 9, Jasper's team has raised over $2,117. 

Race for the Kids is an annual 2K and 5K run to raise money for the B.C. Children's Hospital. 

Nicholas vividly remembers the panic and confusion when Jasper first started experiencing health issues. 

In less than a week, Jasper became "very puffy" and lost nearly half of his body weight. 

"On the first day in the Children's Hospital, we had no idea what it was," said Jasper, adding Nephrotic Syndrome is a condition that doesn't filter protein out of urine. 

"Your kidney is [like] a sponge that takes the protein and separates it from the pee.

"[But if] there's some holes in the sponge … I have to reduce how much salt I can have and also gluten."

If left untreated, Nephrotic Syndrome