Give to a cause close to the heart

Joan and I each owe our lives to medical life savers who snatched us from the jaws of death when heart troubles struck.

That is why on September 26, in my 80th year and with an impaired heart, I will enter my first marathon, to raise money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. And why, on October 7, I will start a four-day, 120-kilometre hike to raise money for Ross Memorial Hospital here in Lindsay, Ontario.

These are causes dear to our hearts.

CLICK HERE TO GIVE TO ROSS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

CLICK HERE TO GIVE TO HEART & STROKE FOUNDATION

For the marathon, I seek your support to aid the efforts of the Heart and Stroke Foundation to eliminate heart disease and stroke through research and the promotion of healthy living.

For my October hike, I seek your support so that together we can do our bit to help ensure that Ross Memorial Hospital will continue to have the best equipment and the most talented medical staff to save the lives of friends, neighbours and all who make our community such a wonderful place to call home.

In 1989, Ross Memorial’s medical teams rescued me from a massive heart attack. In 2007 they saved Jean’s life from more complex heart trouble.

Because of a permanent scar left by the cardiac arrest, each stroke of my heart pumps out only about 70 percent of the normal amount of blood pumped by a healthy heart. Diet, exercise and expert medical assistance have largely overcome this. Last year—20 years after that heart attack—I climbed one of the world’s tallest buildings, 1,778 steps to the top of Toronto’s CN Tower, one of thousands in an annual fund-raising event.

The Scotia Bank Toronto Waterfront Marathon on September 26 is 42 kilometres. I’ll walk, not run. It will take me longer than the qualifying time of 6l.5 hours, but I will do the full distance.

The October hike from Bethany to Haliburton is along a pair of historic rail trails. Anyone is welcome to join me, for any of the four days. There is no qualifying time here.

I feel blessed to be alive and in vigorous health. I want to share that blessing. And perhaps encourage others with the knowledge that determination offers a chance of long and rewarding life after a major health setback.

Recall the advice of Bob Hope: “If you have no charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.”