Vancouver Goldeneyes goalie Kristen Campbell has always looked up to her mother. Janet Campbell, like many hockey parents, devoted endless hours in cold arenas, shuttling kids to practices, and enthusiastically supporting every play. While Kristen fought on the ice, Janet battled multiple sclerosis, first diagnosed with the disease in 1999 when Kristen was just a toddler.
Kristen expressed admiration for her mother’s resilience in facing the challenges of multiple sclerosis while prioritizing her family and attending all of Kristen’s hockey events despite her personal struggles. The Campbell family’s journey is now being shared as part of A&W’s annual Burgers to Beat MS initiative. On August 20, A&W will donate $2 from each Teen Burger sold nationwide to MS Canada to aid individuals living with the disease and advance treatment research.
Kristen, hailing from Brandon, Manitoba, emphasized the significance of supporting the cause close to her heart, as her mom is one of 90,000 Canadians living with MS. She aims to raise awareness, offer support to those battling MS, and contribute towards finding effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure.
Janet Campbell’s experience with MS, a condition affecting the central nervous system and causing various symptoms, has largely been invisible to others. Despite dealing with issues like head pain, leg stiffness, and sensitivity to temperature changes, she has managed to lead a fulfilling life without letting the symptoms hinder her significantly. Kristen credited her mother for instilling in her values like strong work ethic, essential for her successful hockey career.
Having achieved significant milestones in her hockey journey, including winning gold at the 2022 Olympics and being recognized as the top goaltender in the PWHL 2024 season, Kristen Campbell now shares her expertise through coaching goalie camps. Reflecting on the past season and focusing on mental and physical preparation for the upcoming one, she acknowledges the intentional process required at this stage of her career.
As the PWHL gears up for the next season with new teams in cities like San Jose, Las Vegas, Detroit, and Hamilton, Campbell is excited about the league’s growth and evolution since she first played in January 2024. With the league expanding to 12 teams and playing in NHL venues, Campbell appreciates the fans’ unwavering support and looks forward to witnessing further progress and success.