Christopher Kennaway was diagnosed with heart disease at age five. Ever since then, he had wanted to become a cardiologist and find a cure for Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (CPVT), the rare, life-threatening condition that afflicted him.
At 17, he got a pacemaker and defibrillator, but three years ago, the 22-year-old, who was studying science at uOttawa, died in his sleep.
His parents, Jeff and Diana Kennaway, described Christopher as “a nice kid with a funny sense of humour” who loved sports and his family and friends.
“He was hoping once he became a cardiologist to go into research and try and find a cure for his particular disease,” said Jeff.
The Kennaways were ambassadors for the 10th annual Walk for Heart.
Yesterday’s event raised over $12,000, said Jan Ditchfield, area coordinator of community events for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Last year, the foundation put $5.4 million back into the Ottawa area for research, said Ditchfield.
