Jordan Prior had an active childhood and young adulthood, gliding through the water as a competitive swimmer for over a decade. She never worried about her health until her mid-20s, when she began experiencing unexpected symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and dizziness.
“It came as a real surprise. Even during simple walks, I found myself needing to stop and sit down,” she recalls. “It was very overwhelming, because I didn’t know what I was dealing with or how far I could push myself in physical activities.”
These symptoms became so overpowering that Jordan visited her doctor, who ran numerous tests yet couldn’t find anything awry. That’s when Jordan was sent to St. Paul’s Hospital for a referral that changed her life.
A rare medical condition
After undergoing several tests at St. Paul’s Hospital, the results were uncertain. Given Jordan’s young age and medical history, some health professionals may have attributed the symptoms to something minor or taken a ‘wait and see’ approach. But the internist Jordan met with at St. Paul’s Hospital insisted on probing further.
“I vividly remember him telling me if I was his daughter, he would want to push through and advocate for me,” she says. “It was incredibly comforting to know that I wasn’t just advocating for myself – I had a strong support system doing the same.”
A subsequent CT angiogram confirmed that Jordan had an anomalous right pulmonary artery, a rare congenital condition that was restricting blood flow to her heart and lungs. And at 26 years old, she needed open heart surgery. Doctors were surprised that something dire hadn’t happened earlier, especially given her strenuous activity levels.
“When I was diagnosed, I went through a range of emotions. But I knew I was in great hands,” she says. “The team at St. Paul’s Hospital approached my condition and my situation with compassion and kindness. They educated me on the condition and the steps involved, helping me understand what to expect and feel more at ease as I prepared for such a major surgery.”
The anticipated six-hour surgery was a resounding success and completed in only two hours, thanks to the specialized skill set of the cardiology team. Then Jordan set her sights on recovery, relearning everything from walking to brushing her own teeth.
“At any time of the day or night, someone was there to help me when I needed it,” she says. “The access to such experienced and skilled teams at St. Paul’s Hospital got me through one of the scariest moments of my life. I’ll always be grateful for that.”
A strong support system for some of life’s most significant moments
Jordan left St. Paul’s Hospital with a clean bill of health and the ability to return to all her favourite activities. A decade after heart surgery, when Jordan learned she was pregnant, it was an obvious choice to choose the Pregnancy, Birthing and Newborn Centre at St. Paul’s Hospital for delivery. During childbirth she experienced a variety of complications, including losing three litres of blood. Once again, staff were there to help her make a full recovery.
“My life now is better than ever. The journey of recovery was a long road and it took a lot of patience and dedication,” she says. “Having the support of St. Paul’s, my family, friends, and my employer, Grosvenor, made navigating such a difficult time much more manageable.”
After undergoing life-saving heart surgery and successful childbirth, Jordan turned her gratitude into action by volunteering her time to Lights of Hope. Alongside her, Grosvenor employees also volunteer, with the company further supporting the community through charitable donations.
Decades of corporate support for St. Paul’s Foundation and St. Paul’s Hospital
Grosvenor began supporting St. Paul’s Foundation 36 years ago, and has donated to the Lights of Hope campaign since its inception in 1998. Each year, its employees spend several days volunteering to set up the brilliant display of lights.
“Many of us at some point or another have come to rely on our first responders,” says Patti Glass, vice president, Corporate Marketing & Communications at Grosvenor. “It’s incredibly relevant to provide support to an organization like St. Paul’s Foundation, especially in Vancouver, where people live and work. We’ve seen an impressive level of employee engagement around the Lights of Hope event. It’s a meaningful initiative that people can get behind, leading to an impactful outcome.”
Grosvenor has been an understanding and caring employer since Jordan’s initial diagnosis, and she’s happy to volunteer each year alongside her colleagues.
“Going from a patient to a volunteer at Lights of Hope felt like it was full circle,” she says. “Being able to give back to a place that gave me so much feels like the very least I can do.”
The company’s long-standing support of St. Paul’s was especially pronounced this year. Many employees participated in the lighting assembly in honour of their colleague Sherina Raza, who recently passed away. This year’s star honours Sherina, who had been a tremendous advocate for Lights of Hope.
“We are so proud at Grosvenor to be able to support our team members and the community through Lights of Hope. Jordan’s heart journey at St. Paul’s Hospital is but one example of how important compassionate and innovative care is to the entire province,” Patti says. “We are proud to sponsor a star and showcase our commitment to helping those in need.”
During the last 17 years, the Lights of Hope display is an important reminder to Jordan of all she is grateful for – including being able to enjoy the lights with her seven-year-old daughter.
“When the lights are up and I walk by or drive by I immediately feel such a connection, especially since my daughter was born at St. Paul’s which makes it even more special. She loves being a part of it, and I love seeing her share that sense of connection as well,” she says. “I have so many strong memories from my time at St Paul’s Hospital. Not only did I receive exceptional care, but I know others within the community experience the same level of quality..”
Get your organization involved and see your company name on the Lights of Hope display! Your star will shine brightly throughout the holiday season as testament to your commitment to the wellness of British Columbians.