Lace Up for a healthier heart!

Great weather and a great cause brought out the crowds for the 2009 Annual 5k Run/Walk for the General.

A few of the 60 participants at the 2009 Spin for the General who enjoyed a great day of community fundraising spirit and exercise.

Cardiovascular diseases of the circulatory system, including the heart and blood vessels, are the leading cause of death in adult Canadian men and women. The most common type is heart disease.

Heart disease can happen to anyone. In the majority of cases, we can minimize our risk of heart disease through lifestyle factors such as healthy eating, avoiding stress, refraining from smoking and getting enough exercise. Exercise is a very important factor because people who are physically inactive have twice the risk of having heart disease and a stroke. Even after a heart attack, physical activity is important because it reduces the risk of having another one and it improves the chances of survival.

The St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation has two great events planned to allow you to enjoy a great day of exercise while raising money to purchase medical equipment for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

The 7th annual Spin for the General takes place April 17 at The Club at White Oaks. Participants take part in one of five 45-minute classes. Over the years, this Spin event has raised over $65,000 for new medical equipment.

On May 2, Club Roma will host the 11th Annual 5k Run/Walk for the General. In its 10-year history, over $355,000 has been raised for equipment. Both the Spin and the Run events include a free shirt, brunch or lunch and a chance to win some great prizes.

Many people aren’t aware that the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care doesn’t provide funding for new and replacement medical equipment. Therefore, we must rely on donations and community participation in our fundraising events to ensure our healthcare professionals have the equipment they need to continue to deliver excellent care.

Join us in these exciting traditions supporting healthcare in our Niagara community. It will be good for your heart and it will do your heart good to know that you are helping ensure our cardiologists have access to state-of-the-art equipment necessary to diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease.

For more information about the events, visit www.scghfoundation.com.  «