The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia will kick off its February Heart Month door-to-door canvassing campaign in the southwest region with a flag presentation ceremony at Yarmouth Town Hall on Friday, Feb. 1, at 11 a.m. Anyone interested is invited to attend.



The presentation will be made by David Olie, program coordinator (Annapolis Valley) for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia. Peter Eldridge, residential chair of the Heart Month campaign in Yarmouth, and Bill Carroll, business campaign chair and captain for Chegoggin, will also be attending. 2008 marks the fifth year for this flag raising ceremony between the Town of Yarmouth and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.



“We greatly appreciate this show of support from the town,” says Olie. “Thanks to the efforts of volunteers like Bill and Peter, the campaign grew again last year, with nearly $5,600 raised in the town, and over $6,800 in the surrounding area. We had a great deal of help from members of both the Knights of Columbus and the Lions Club. But we are always in need of more canvassers, and if anyone in the community would like to help, please give us a call.”



Throughout February, Heart and Stroke Foundation volunteers will be knocking on doors to raise vital funds for the organization. It’s a tradition that has been happening for close to 48 years. It’s also a tradition that has raised vital funds for research and prevention programs and the support of Nova Scotians is critical to its success.



With funds raised the foundation continues to invest in initiatives to help prevent Nova Scotians from developing cardiovascular disease that include programs and policy development. In addition, the Foundation funds research to better understand, treat and prevent heart disease and stroke.



The Heart and Stroke Foundation, a volunteer-based charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living, and advocacy. For more information about heart disease and the Heart and Stroke Foundation, visit www.heartandstroke.ca www.heartandstroke.ca or call 1 800 423-4432.

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