Twitter is a wonderful thing. It connects you with people you may have otherwise never met. A month or two ago a young woman followed me on Twitter, after having been a reader of my website and admirer of my baking confections and recipes. We tweeted back and forth a few times before she e-mailed me inquiring about my baking. As I also have a very small cupcake business I began located on my site as well she asked about pricing for cupcakes and other baked goods for an event she was thinking of holding in the coming months. After e-mailing back and forth a couple times I asked what the event was for, and she replied back that she was going to be holding a fundraiser at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, where she also works, for the Heart and Stroke Foundation to raise money for their annual Big Bike Event.
As soon as I read those words, Heart and Stroke Foundation, my heart began to race. You see, this organization is something that is quite close to my own heart (no pun intended). I have had the unfortunate experience to create a connection to this foundation through the loss of someone. My father. Eight years ago, on my 16th birthday, I experienced the sudden and incredibly tragic loss of the most important man in my life. There were no warnings, there were no signs, there was no goodbye. My father passed away after suffering from a major Heart Attack, that we later learned was due to Heart Disease. That day instead of celebrating with friends, I was mourning with my family. It shook our family in ways I never could have imagined. Our family of four became a family of three, and our world would be forever changed. Our extended family would also feel a great loss of a wonderful, generous and family-oriented man.
It will be eight years this June, though some days it feels as if it were only yesterday. The years have eased the immediate pain, though nothing will ever heal the wound that it has left in our hearts. It has been years of ups and downs, of painful events that he would not attend, the father-daughter dance at grad he never danced and the promise he never kept of bringing me to my drivers license test. We have also had celebrations in his absence that remind us that it will keep getting better. Births, milestones, graduations and accomplistments that are all in honour of him. We are constantly moving forward with him closely in our thoughts and forever in our hearts. The loss will never go away, but instead it helps us live each day with the memories of him and a reminder to live life to the fullest.
I have always wanted to make a contribution to the foundation but have not found a way to do it. When I was younger our elementary school would participate in the Jump Rope for Heart, and I remember going to neighbours to collect donations. Little did I know the foundation would have such an impact on my later in life. After being contacted about the fundraiser I knew if nothing else, I could lend my support and volunteer my services for free. Heart Disease and stroke is the leading cause of death in Canada and has become the number one killer of women. It is a serious health concern that affects thousands of people each year. To raise money for the Big Bike Event campaign I have offered to bake 150 Cupcakes and other goodies for their bake sale being held at the Surrey Kwantlen Campus on Thursday April 5th with proceeds going towards the Big Bike Event in support of heart disease and stroke research. I would love to invite you to come visit our booth and be part of our fundraising.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Mission:
The Heart and Stroke Foundation, a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke and reducing their impact through:
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The Heart&Stroke Big Bike is a team event geared towards community organizations, companies and groups. Teams made up of 29 enthusiastic riders (and one driver provided by the Foundation) pedal through their community in support of heart disease and stroke research.
To Join the Team or DONATE please click here
Please come and support the Heart and Stroke Foundation on Thursday, April 5th at the Surrey Kwantlen Campus (click for directions) from 11 AM to 4 PM in the Main Atrium. Your donations will go directly in support of heart and stroke research by the foundation.
10 Comments
Talk about touching the heart, your blog definitely was heartfelt. Brought tears to my eyes! Sending you & your family much LOVE & HUGS! Love auntie Josie
Thank You Auntie Jo
Yes my family of 3… miss your Dad more than words can say. Really Lovely words you have written. I have volunteered for the Heart and Stroke foundation on & off for years; Amanda, Luke and I used to go door to door raising funds, and I continued when I moved to Surrey. Your Mom and I are going out for lunch that day so we will come first to your Booth and buy some of your baking 🙂 Love you xxx A.H.
Thanks auntie heas. I’m glad you two will be able to come by
I would like to support your cause through a donation; this is also very close to our hearts not only for your father but for Craig’s mother who suffered a massive stroke a few years ago. If I mail you a donation can you make sure it goes straight to the Heart & Stroke Foundation? I won’t be able to make it to the bake sale.
thanks & best of luck on your fundraising efforts!
Andy xo
Thank you so much Andrea I truly appreciate it and I’m sorry to hear about Craig’s mother. I will be in touch with you 🙂
Alicia! What are you doing to me on a Tuesday morning… it’s hard for me to swallow after reading this! I can’t even imagine what you went through and I’m so sorry for your loss. I wish I knew about this event earlier so I could attend, but I’ll put it up on my site in my event’s calendar. I know it’ll be a success!
Thank you for your comment Mijune, it was hard to write it as well even after all these years! I know you can’t attend but thank you so much for promoting it on your blog and adding it to your event calendar 🙂 I truly appreciate it
Was a truly wonderful cupcake and the cause is so worth the calories!!
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