A bittersweet anniversary: Jordan Boyd’s legacy lives on at Halifax heart clinic
Friday was a day filled with mixed emotions for Stephen and Debbie Boyd. Instead of celebrating their son Jordan’s 28th birthday on May 23, they found themselves at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax commemorating the one-year anniversary since a clinic was renamed in his honor.
The Jordan Boyd Inherited Heart Disease Clinic was established to provide care to families across the Maritimes affected by known or suspected inherited heart conditions. Jordan tragically passed away at the age of 16 in 2013 due to an undiagnosed inherited heart disease. The talented hockey player from Bedford, N.S. collapsed on the ice during training camp with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan of the QMJHL. It was later revealed that he had a condition called arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.
Devastated by the loss of their son, Stephen and Debbie Boyd channeled their grief into action. They have worked tirelessly to raise awareness of inherited heart diseases and have successfully raised over $1.3 million in partnership with the QEII Foundation. “It was very important to us to try and make a difference,” Stephen Boyd shared. “We’re quite convinced that he would want us to take this and try and do something positive that could help others. And that’s what we’ve tried to do.”
Having the clinic named after their son holds profound significance for the Boyds. It ensures that Jordan is remembered and that his life made a lasting impact, providing some solace in coping with their loss. Dr. Ciorsti MacIntyre, the director of the clinic, highlighted that the facility, founded by Dr. Martin Gardner, was among the first in Canada specializing in inherited heart diseases. She emphasized that the Boyd family’s fundraising efforts have been crucial in supporting the training of specialists and funding a research coordinator. “Research is fundamental to what we do, and it’s allowed our clinic to grow and have a greater impact on the community,” MacIntyre added.
Since its renaming in 2024, the clinic has seen 500 patients in the past year. MacIntyre noted that the staff often encounters families in their most challenging moments following an unexpected death. In such instances, the clinic strives not only to diagnose the cause but also to identify other family members who may have inherited the disease and provide them with treatment.
Following Jordan’s passing, Debbie Boyd discovered that she also had an undiagnosed heart condition. During their visit to the clinic on Friday, she had her implanted defibrillator checked by MacIntyre. Stephen Boyd affirmed that the family is committed to continuing their fundraising and education efforts. “Our work’s not done,” he declared.
The Boyd family’s dedication and the impact of the Jordan Boyd Inherited Heart Disease Clinic serve as a beacon of hope for families grappling with inherited heart conditions. Jordan’s legacy lives on through the vital work being done to raise awareness, provide care, and support research in this crucial field.
