NEW GLASGOW – Heart and Stroke Foundation volunteers and staff gathered at the Pictou County Wellness Centre this weekend to kick off the charity’s annual Heart Month door-to-door campaign launching Feb. 1.
Volunteers and staff were on hand to pick up fundraising materials, learn best practices for better health and understand how the money gathered by the Foundation is spent.
As part of a partnership with Emergency Health Service (EHS), a paramedic provided a demonstration of how CPR and an automated external defibrillator (AED) work together during a cardiac arrest.
Tracey Pierre, the program coordinator for Nova Scotia, started the session by noting heart disease and stroke is taking many Canadian’s lives too soon.
“Every seven minutes, another death occurs due to heart disease and stroke which is why we need your help,” said Pierre.
Those present also heard from Catherine Droesbeck, the community health promotion lead and the importance of healthy living.
“Helping people stay healthy includes making the healthy choices the easy and accessible choices,” she said.
Volunteers and staff also gathered at similar events in Halifax, Dartmouth and Yarmouth.
Since 1956, the Heart and Stroke Foundation has invested $1.3 billion in research, which has led to many discoveries.
“This February 3,000 Nova Scotians will volunteer their time to help raise funds for the Foundation and we appreciate these efforts and the support of Nova Scotians during this time,” said Menna MacIsaac, CEO of the Nova Scotia Heart and Stroke Foundation.
“Volunteering for a few hours in February or donating to the Heart and Stroke Foundation can help improve the heart health of Nova Scotians.”
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