George Riel is a 46 year old paramedic He is married and has three beautiful and busy children ages 4, 2 and 6 months. He worked as a paramedic in Squamish his home town and Vancouver. George's career goal was to take the (ITT) Infant Transport Team training for paramedic. This course is highly specialized and is one of the highest levels of training a paramedic can attain. The ITT brings high risk maternal, neonatal, or sick children from all over North America to BC Children's Hospital for lifesaving treatment.

George married Laurette in June of 2000 and in September of that same year George was diagnosed with brain tumor which subsequently required both surgery and radiation therapy. In 2002, due to complications, George battled another set-back. He had a major stroke losing all movement on his left side. Through determination and hard work he has managed to regain a great deal of his physical abilities. However, he frequently continues to have smaller strokes, the last one in April of 2006. Prior to his health challenges, George did 4 years of Olympic length triathlons and ran the Victoria Marathon with his then girlfriend Laurette. He was the captain of his high-school and college basketball teams and he also played football.

George was first exposed to Summits of Hope through his sister in law Leanne Leduc who has imbed with the team for the past 2 years. Leanne, inspired greatly by George and her sister, climbed Mount Elbrus in Russia and Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa. She carried colorful SOH traditional flags to the summits of both mountains in honour of them.

George has had a life long dream of going to Africa. Unfortunately, health concerns pose too much of a risk to travel this year to Tanzania with the SOH team.

George is looking forward to next year!