Keeping the Beat – Spring & Summer Edition

On Sunday May 27, 2012 team CCHA will walk/run/cycle in the Cardiac Health Foundation of Canada’s “WALK OF LIFE”. Our goal is to raise $6,500 for the Canadian Congenital Heart Alliance; all money raised will support important programs such as research, awareness programs and the ‘Beat Retreat’ camp.

This year the WALK OF LIFE will take place at an exciting new location, Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto, and features a 3 KM and 5 KM WALK, 5 KM RUN and new this year 10 KM CYCLE. Enjoy a FREE heart healthy breakfast, t-shirt, parking, shuttle from TTC, family fun & live entertainment, medals, prizes and more. This year, all kids under 12 have free registration and dogs are welcome!

Many of our members with congenital heart defects take advantage of the Cardiac Health Foundation of Canada rehab programs to help them exercise safely under supervision. The newly re-branded Cardiac Health Foundation of Canada is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting cardiac rehabilitation and the advocacy of prevention and education across Canada… Since 1965, $10 Million has been raised nationally for facilities, scholarships & research, patient & public awareness, professional education and medical equipment. We will be splitting the proceeds 50/50 with the Cardiac Health Foundation of Canada; for more information, visithttp://www.cardiachealth.ca/

You can help our organizations by;

JOIN OUR TEAM
Why not you or your family or friends join Team CCHA to raise money for a worthy cause, enjoy a great walk, run or cycle at the parklands of Evergreen Brick Works, and receive some great gifts and a chance to win prizes.https://sna.etapestry.com/fundraiser/CardiacHealthFoundationofCan/2012walkoflife/team.do?participationRef=597.0.324093074

SPONSOR TEAM CCHA
Can’t attend the event but still want to help? Click the link below to visit our team’s site and make a donation by selecting the “Sponsor our team” on the right hand side! (All donations over $20 receive a charitable donation tax receipt if required).
https://sna.etapestry.com/fundraiser/CardiacHealthFoundationofCan/2012walkoflife/team.do?participationRef=597.0.324093074

Don’t forget to forward this information to your family and friends who are interested in supporting this worthy cause.

If you would like further information or have questions, please contact Jennifer at fundraising@cchaforlife.org

They would love to speak with parents, like you, to learn more about how children with heart problems participate in physical activity. They want to know what helps them to participate, and also about the problems or barriers. They also want to know what it is like for you as a parent, and how we can help better support everyone involved.

Parents who have a child with a heart problem will be our most important source of information. If you would like to help us to understand what is needed and how we can help, they would love to speak with you.

The project will speak with groups of parents or individually if you would prefer. The discussions will be held in 3 different locations:

1) Variety Village (Birchmount and Danforth Avenue in Scarborough),
2) Sick Kids (Gerrard and University, Toronto), and
3) Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (Smyth Road, Ottawa).

If you wish to join a discussion with a group of parents, your participation will require 60 to 90 minutes. The discussions will be held during an evening or on a weekend to suit the schedules of participating parents. Speaking with us individually would take 45 to 60 minutes and can be arranged at any time that suits your schedule.

If you are interested in participating, or have any questions about the research study, please contact  Li-Ann Yap, Project Coordinator. She can be reached by telephone at 416-813-7617 ext. 28135 and by email at li-ann.yap@sickkids.ca.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012, 7-8 pm EDT

Register for the webinar here.

Are you an adult living with truncus arteriosus (TA) or the family member of someone with TA? If so, you won’t want to miss this webinar. Dr. Michael McConnell, ACHD cardiologist, will tell you what it means to have TA and what surgical options are available, as well as what issues to look for in adulthood. You will also learn how to lead as productive a life as possible. Be sure to register today.

Presenter:
Mike McConnell, MD

http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e5ssippqh0s4ru69/start

CCHA has been invited to speak at the 22nd International Symposium on Adult Congenital Heart Disease, in May. The topic that we’ve been invited to participate in is “The Top 10 Challenges After Saving Lives”. They will be hearing from:

• Dr. Gary Webb from Philadelphia
• Dr. Glen Van Arsdell from Sick Kids
• Philip Moons, a professor in nursing science from Belgium
• Barbara Mulder, the President of the International Society of Adult Congenital Heart Disease, and
• CCHA – to present the patient perspective

We have created a survey to try to find out more about the challenges you face living with your heart condition. Please a take a few minutes to participate so we can share your concerns.

Please click HERE to take the survey. All responses will be kept strictly confidential.

Thank you very much!  If you would like to share some more of your challenges, please email me at communications@cchaforlife.org.