To help kick off February as Heart Month, today is Wear Red Day, an opportunity for Islanders to join together and raise awareness of the importance of heart health, says Health and Wellness Minister Carolyn Bertram.
“Wear Red Day is a neat way for Islanders to get involved and raise awareness for Heart Health,” said Minister Bertram. “Heart disease and stroke is responsible for one in three Canadian deaths every year. Through the new Women’s Heart Health initiative with the Women’s Institute, go!PEI and the PEI Heart and Stroke Foundation, we are hoping to better educate Island women of their risk factors and preventative measures they should be taking.”
This morning Minister Bertram signed a proclamation officially declaring February 2011 as Heart Month in Prince Edward Island.
“This year we have seen tremendous progress in heart and stroke prevention and care in Prince Edward Island. We saw the realization of our Provincial Organized Stroke Care program, the opening of a new stroke unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the implementation of a pilot secondary stroke prevention clinic at Prince County Hospital. These new facilities are helping to further advance stroke care in Prince Edward Island, and are having a positive impact on the quality of life, not only for the stroke survivor, but for their families and caregivers,” said Minister Bertram.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Prince Edward Island has many activities going on during Heart Month. Volunteers will be canvassing Island homes throughout the month, and on February 12 they will host their annual Nortons Razzle Dazzle Red – a night of fine dining, dancing and fundraising auctions.
For more information on Heart Month activities, contact the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Prince Edward Island at 892-7441 or toll free at 1-888-473-4636.