What is Heart Month? – How to Get Involved!

Today, heart disease and stroke take one life every 7 minutes. Ninety percent of Canadians have at least one risk factor for stroke, or heart disease. The Heart and Stroke Foundation works to raise awareness during Heart Month which is the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s key opportunity to reach millions of Canadians and alert them to the risks of heart disease and stroke.

Here is everything you need to know about this month of heart awareness!

What is Heart Month?

Heart Month was born more than 60 years ago, when a visionary group of Canadians including physicians and researchers, established the National Heart Foundation of Canada with big hopes for the future. Their dream was to put heart health on the public agenda, to empower researchers to turn the tide on heart disease, and to educate Canadians about their hearts.

Since 1956, the Foundation has raised and invested more than $1.3 billion in leading-edge heart disease and stroke research. These impressive results have been made possible by the ongoing and valuable efforts of volunteers and donors across this country.

After decades of growth in influence, and impact, on the health of Canadians the Heart and Stroke Foundation reached a significant milestone in 2011, when the national office and nine independent provincial bodies united to become one strong, national organization.

How to Get Involved in Heart Month

Heart Month, each February, allows the Heart and Stroke Foundation to reach millions of Canadians and alert them to the risks of heart disease and stroke. Thousands of volunteers, the face and the voice of the Heart and Stroke Foundation and Heart Month, work tirelessly at this critical time to share the Foundation’s message. (http://heartmonth.heartandstroke.ca/)

Volunteers, are people like you, who know the importance of education, awareness and research. If you can share your time, the Foundation offers opportunities for you to be involved!

Heart Month Door-to-Door Canvassers

As the face of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, each Canvasser visits approximately 20-25 houses on a specific route in his or her neighborhood. They thank residents for past donations, raise awareness of the cause and collect funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. To register as a door-to-door canvasser, click here.

Heart Month Online Canvassers

Online Canvassers raise funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation by reaching out to their friends & family that they keep in touch with online. When you register as an Online Canvasser, you receive your own personal fundraising headquarters, where you can send emails directly to your online contacts, set a fundraising goal and track your fundraising progress! To register as an Online Canvasser, click here.

*NOTE: You can register as a Door to Door Canvasser and an Online Canvasser, if you are interested in both roles!

Heart Month Captains

With the assistance of a Zone Leader, each Captain helps organize a strong team of approximately 10 Canvassers in his or her area. They deliver and collect canvasser kits, and acts as the point person for Canvassers leading up to and throughout the campaign to ensure the success of door-to-door fundraising. If you’re interested in becoming a Captain, click here.

Heart Month Zone Leaders

The Zone Leader works with their local Heart and Stroke Foundation office to establish a strong team of approximately 10 Captains in his or her area. He or she liaises with Captains to ensure they, and their respective Canvassers, have all the materials they need – when they need them – to ensure a successful campaign. Interested in becoming a Zone Leader? Please call your local Heart and Stroke Foundation office.

Get excited about heart month and start seeking out opportunities to raise heart awareness today!

Want to find other ways to participate? “How do I spread awareness?” you may ask? Easy! Join a heart campaign! Check out these heart-worthy campaigns and work towards a heart healthier world!