Kid Captain of the Match: Kiara

Vancouver Whitecaps FC are honoured to have Kiara as Kid Captain of the club's home opener at Rio Tinto Stadium against the Portland Timbers on April 18.

It was an early August morning in Port Coquitlam, another day of swimming lessons for Claudia’s four active daughters, including 11-year-old Kiara. As the lessons got underway, something went horribly wrong—Kiara had fainted in the pool.

“I thought she may have dived in the shallow end. Maybe she had a head injury, maybe she was drowning,” Claudia said.

Kiara was rushed to the hospital. Initially, she was cleared and referred to a pediatrician.

Then, less than six months later, Kiara fainted while jumping rope at school. The next month, there…