Cardiovascular disease affects 1 in 3 women, and it's a challenging diagnosis, one that affects all aspects of our lives. After a cardiac event, quality of life can be significantly lower for women when compared to men, and without social support, women have a higher risk of fatal heart disease. 

I am raising money to support the expansion of the Women@Heart Program  - a peer support program led by women with heart disease, for women with heart disease. Developed by the world-class Canadian Women’s Heart Health Centre at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, it provides women access to emotional support, coping skills, education, and a caring environment for a better recovery. It is delivered both through community groups and virtually.

The program has proven to help women adopt effective coping mechanisms, reduce stress, rates of depression and anxiety, and improve relationships with healthcare providers. The satisfaction rating from almost 1000 women is 4.5/5! It's a terrific  program that really helped me personally and as a peer leader, I now see first hand how it helps others.  Because this program can be delivered virtually, it is ready to be made available across Canada, but that requires expanded funding. 

If you would like to see this program made available to you or your loved ones, please consider donating - your contribution will have a tremendous impact on the women in your community. I would love to blow the doors off our goal by Mother's day, May 9, 2021 in honour of our Moms, sisters, partners, ourselves, and yes, even daughters, to show just how much Canadian women deserve this type of support!

Funds raised will be directed to the Canadian Women's Heart Health Centre to fund this initiative, and you will receive a tax receipt!

Helen