With February approaching, Heart Month is also on the way. In honour of the month dedicated to healthy hearts, the Heart and Stroke Foundation is on the move with a national community-based funding campaign. The foundation will be coming to Estevan to create local awareness and amass donations to help in the effort against heart disease and stroke.
“We don’t have a person-to-person campaign planned for this year. What’s going on in Estevan is the Bruins game on February 12,” said Michelle Busa, manager of community engagement for Saskatchewan, with the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Busa said the game will feature raffle tickets that will enter guests into a draw for assorted items, including signed team jerseys and a barbecue. Proceeds form the game ticket and raffle ticket sales will all go toward research for heart disease and stroke.
“We’ve never done it (in this format) before. Last year there was a jersey auction,” said Busa. “Hopefully it’ll be a good weekend, and lots of people will come out to support the team.”
According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, in Canada, one life is taken by heart disease, every seven minutes. Up to eight per cent of those deaths are preventable. Busa said nine in 10 people have, in their lifestyle, at least one risk factor for heart disease.
Risk factors include high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, an irregular heart beat, being overweight, diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, smoking and excessive levels of stress.
Busa said the Heart and Stroke Foundation chose the Bruins game for this year’s event, in particular, because it was the opportunity to hold an event for heart disease and stroke awareness, because of how sporting events promote healthy lifestyles.
She added, “We look in communities for things that promote our mission, which is to get people healthy and active again.”
