February is well-known as Heart Month, with the Heart and Stroke Foundation canvassing and supporting special events to raise money for research and treatment.
Heart Month was inspired by a fundraising initiative called “Heart Sunday.” The concept was adopted in British Columbia in the mid-1950s and in Ontario in 1958, and has since expanded across the country.
Today, Heart Month is a much broader campaign that mobilizes Canadians to rally together in raising awareness and funds that have an enormous impact on the lives of not just heart and stroke patients, but all Canadians.
Through the generosity and compassion of volunteers, the Heart and Stroke Foundation has been able to fund critical life-giving research, education and advocacy programs that help save lives.
Heart disease and stroke take one in three Canadians before their time, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. They are the number-one killer of women, taking more women’s lives than all forms of cancer combined.
This February, more than 100,000 volunteers will rally together across Canada to raise life-giving funds to give Canadians longer, fuller lives. Every donation – whether at the door, online, or through an event – is giving the people you care about more time - for more experiences, more memories and more living.

We are all at risk
Heart disease and stroke truly affect us all. Today, nine in 10 Canadians have at least one risk factor. No one is immune to the threat.
Although heart disease was once thought of as an “older white man’s disease,” demographic changes are creating a situation where no Canadian young or old will be left unaffected.
Younger people are facing obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes – putting them at risk of early heart disease. New groups, meanwhile, are facing a heightened risk of heart disease, such as the Baby Boomers, First Nations people and some of Canada’s fastest growing ethno-cultural communities.
More women are dying from heart disease and stroke every year than all forms of cancer combined – with young Canadian women being increasingly vulnerable due to lifestyle choices such as inactivity, unhealthy weight and smoking.
Canvassers will be out in the area and throughout the country during the month of February, raising funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. To learn more about the Ontario campaign, visit www.heartandstroke.on.ca.
With files from the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s website at www.heartandstroke.com.