Fans Rally for Hudson Williams' Birthday Fundraiser, Raising Over $63,000 for BC Children's Hospital

In celebration of Hudson Williams' 25th birthday on February 13, fans of the Canadian LGBTQ+ hockey drama "Heated Rivalry" organized a fundraiser that raised over $63,000 for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. This charity is dedicated to supporting pediatric care and research in Vancouver, British Columbia. The initiative was spearheaded by Threads user Gianna Christine, known as @gigi_champagne, who initially set a modest goal of $1,000. However, the fundraising campaign quickly gained momentum, surpassing $3,000 within 18 hours and reaching $32,000 by Williams' birthday.

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Hudson Williams has a personal connection to the BC Children’s Hospital, having credited it with saving his life as a baby. At the 2026 Golden Globes, he expressed his gratitude, stating, “The BC Children’s Hospital kind of saved my life when I was a little baby. So, selfishly, if we could save some more babies over there, that’d be cool.” This heartfelt sentiment resonated with fans, many of whom shared their own stories of pediatric care, including Gigi, whose daughter underwent brain surgery at six months old. Gigi noted that the fundraiser's success felt particularly meaningful as it coincided with her daughter's birthday.

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As the fundraiser progressed, donations continued to pour in, with fans contributing in increments of $24 to honor Williams' character, Shane Hollander, whose jersey number is 24. By the morning of February 17, the total had exceeded $63,415, with Gigi expressing her gratitude for the community's generosity. She emphasized that every contribution, regardless of size, would support vital research and care for children. The BC Children’s Hospital acknowledged the unexpected support, stating that it made their team feel proud and recognized.

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The success of this fundraiser highlights the potential for fan communities to effect positive change. Gigi noted that similar fundraising efforts are emerging in honor of Williams' co-star, Connor Storrie, whose birthday is on February 22. One such initiative has already raised over $10,000 for the National Center for LGBTQ+ Rights. Additionally, a joint fundraiser for both actors has garnered over $4,000 for Rainbow Railroad, an organization that assists LGBTQ+ refugees.

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BC Children’s Hospital expressed their appreciation for the support, stating, “You turned a global spotlight into meaningful recognition, making so many team members feel proud of the work they do at the hospital and helping many families feel seen.” Gigi summarized the experience by stating, “If you're new to fandoms, this is what it can be. It can be fun; it can be a community — it doesn't have to become toxic.”

$65K raised for BC Children’s Hospital in support of Heated Rivalry star’s comments

• “The BC Children’s Hospital kind of saved my life when I was a little baby. So, selfishly, if we could save some more babies over there, that’d be cool,” — Hudson Williams

$65K raised for BC Children’s Hospital in support of Heated Rivalry star’s comments

• “You all are continuing to demonstrate kindness and generosity on a scale I couldn't have ever expected.” — Gianna Christine

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• “You turned a global spotlight into meaningful recognition, making so many team members feel proud of the work they do at the hospital and helping many families feel see,” — BC Children’s Hospital

$65K raised for BC Children’s Hospital in support of Heated Rivalry star’s comments

This fundraiser not only celebrates Hudson Williams' birthday but also underscores the impact of community engagement in supporting critical healthcare initiatives.

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