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Kelsey Lefebvre took the stage at the 2017 WE DAY Vancouver convention

Grade 12 Correlieu student Kelsey Lefebvre a glowing reminder there are great people in world
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Grade 12 Correlieu Secondary School student Kelsey Lefebvre exudes confidence as a dedicated philanthropist and an inspirational survivor.

At just 17, Lefebvre has done a lot to make a huge difference.

When she was two years old, she underwent open-heart surgery at B.C. Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, and has since had to return for annual checkups.

At such a young age, Lefebvre has been through a lot, but it has fed her drive to give back to the place that saved her, in-turn helping other young patients get the help they need.

Last spring, with donations from local businesses, she organized a fundraiser that raised $13,000. This year, she put together a Relay for Life team and raised $2,000.

All of the money raised went to B.C. Children’s Hospital.

It’s not surprising, then, that she was chosen to represent her efforts by delivering a short speech at the 2017 WE Day convention Oct. 18.

WE is an organization – a massive movement – that brings people together to make a positive difference in communities both locally and around the world.

As one of the founders, Craig Kielburger, explains it, it’s the “Super Bowl of doing good. The Academy Awards of changing the world.”

Lefebvre became a shoe-in for the WE Movement, and very quickly rose to the top after her efforts were recognized.

Having watched several students speak at the event about fundraising they had done, Correlieu vice-principal Brian Cullinane says he realized she should have the opportunity to share her story.

After a quick phone call to the school co-ordinator through WE Day and some back-and-forth with producers, Lefebvre was working on her speech for the 2017 events.

“Kelsey is one of those kids who sees a need and jumps in and takes on whatever the project is. She’s a kid who inspires her peers and is just a fabulous individual.”

Lefebvre’s experience at WE Day was one she won’t forget.

“Looking out at 18,000 people that were my age… it was insane.”

Lefebvre says she feels she knocked it out of the park, however, and delivered a speech describing her fundraisers, what they supported and what it meant to her.

Several celebrities – Martin Sheen, Hedley, Grace Vanderwaal and other A-list speakers – attended the convention, making this trip for her and 40 other Quesnel Junior Secondary and Correlieu students something they will never forget.

Lefebvre is definitely an astounding young girl, rising out of challenges to prove that one person can make a monumental impact.

There’s no doubt that donations to B.C. Children’s Hospital are going to a worthy cause because a lovely, big heart in our home town was given another chance there.