(Toronto) — Heart & Stroke’s biggest single-day fundraiser hits the road this spring, the virtual road, and for the first time everyone across Canada can be the leader of the pack.
No matter where you live or what kind of physical activity you want to do, Heart & Stroke is encouraging people across Canada to sign up, get active, share their activity with their friends and family on social media, and have fun participating in the Manulife Heart & Stroke Virtual Ride for Heart, while raising funds to save lives from heart disease and stroke.
“This year’s Ride for Heart will look different, but what hasn’t changed is our shared commitment to push Heart & Stroke’s important work forward,” says Geoff Craig, Chief Marketing Officer, Heart & Stroke. “With the support of people across Canada who will get active during the Virtual Ride for Heart, we will be able to continue our critical work and support people living with heart disease and stroke.”
Participants can choose their own route to walk, ride, or join an online exercise class: any physical activity they choose no matter where they live. People completing outdoor activities must follow the directions of their local, provincial or territorial governments and respect rules around physical distancing.
“COVID-19 has changed all of our lives,” says Avril Goffredo, Executive Vice President, Ontario & Nunavut, Heart & Stroke. For people living with heart disease and stroke, emerging data shows that they are at greater risk for developing serious medical conditions if they are infected. With the cancellation and postponement of events, Heart & Stroke is facing a $25 million revenue shortfall. We need people to join us online at this year’s Ride for Heart so that we can continue our important work to protect people who are at risk for complications from COVID-19 and fund lifesaving research in communities across the country.”
“We’re confident our strong community of colleagues, friends, and family will unite virtually to ride, walk, and fundraise together, providing crucial support to Heart & Stroke”, said Stacey Grant-Thompson, Chief Marketing Officer, Manulife Canada.
Registration for the virtual Manulife Heart & Stroke Ride for Heart is open and people who are already registered for the in-person event will automatically be signed-up for the virtual event.
All Heart & Stroke offices are closed as we seek to protect everyone’s health during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We are still working virtually, remaining active and committed to our communities. Essential services like our call centres, website and online communities continue.
For more information or remote interviews
Diane Hargrave
416 467-9954, ext. 104
dhprbks@interlog.com
Joshua Terry
Communications Advisor, Ontario
Heart & Stroke
416-489-7111, ext. 24806 / 647-444-4391 (mobile)
joshua.terry@heartandstroke.ca
About Heart & Stroke
Life. We don’t want you to miss it. That’s why Heart & Stroke leads the fight against heart disease and stroke. We must generate the next medical breakthroughs, so people in Canada don’t miss out on precious moments. Together, we are working to prevent disease, save lives and promote recovery through research, health promotion and public policy.