Vancouver Goldeneyes goaltender Kristen Campbell has always looked up to her mother. Like many parents of hockey players, Janet Campbell spent numerous hours in cold arenas, shuttling her kids to practices, and passionately supporting them from the sidelines. Amidst Kristen’s battles on the ice, Janet fought her own battle against multiple sclerosis, a condition she was diagnosed with in 1999 when Kristen was just two years old.
Kristen reflects on her mother’s resilience, stating, “Watching her navigate the challenges of the disease has been incredibly inspiring. Despite her own struggles, she always prioritized her family and never missed a single hockey practice, game, or tournament for me. She’s not just my mom but also my best friend and my ultimate role model in life.”
Hailing from Brandon, Manitoba, Campbell is now sharing her family’s journey 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.
“My mom is just one of 90,000 Canadians living with MS, so supporting this cause is deeply personal to me and fellow Canadians,” Campbell expressed. “I aim to stand in solidarity with all those fighting MS, raise awareness, and contribute to finding more effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure.”
Janet Campbell’s experience with MS has been characterized by invisible symptoms, such as headaches, leg stiffness, and sensitivity to temperature changes. Kristen acknowledges her mother’s resilience, emphasizing that despite the challenges, she has led a fulfilling life without being hindered by the disease’s impact.
Many of Kristen’s attributes, including her strong work ethic, can be traced back to her mother, which has propelled the 28-year-old goaltender to success in her hockey career. From clinching gold at the 2022 Olympics to being named the top goaltender in the PWHL’s 2024 season, Campbell has made significant strides in her career.
Post the Goldeneyes’ playoff miss in May, Campbell took a break before delving back into coaching, organizing goalie camps, and resuming her own training regimen. As she gears up for the upcoming season starting in November, Campbell reflects on the league’s growth, with new teams in San Jose, Las Vegas, Detroit, and Hamilton transforming the landscape of the PWHL.
With the league expanding and evolving, Campbell remains optimistic about the future, fueled by the unwavering support of fans and the league’s promising trajectory.