A BIG Thank you!

Dear Family, Friends and Colleagues,

From the bottom of my heart, thanks for using yours to support me in this year's Becel Heart & Stroke Ride for Heart! Together we raised over $1000 (helping make the target of 3.3 million) that will go towards vital research, public awareness and prevention initiatives to combat heart disease and stroke.

The ride started out with some pretty fierce winds and rain but my apprehension over completing 50 k melted away when I looked around and saw so many kids under 10 riding full tilt with plastic bags covering them, or sitting in baby carriers smiling while they got soaked. Good motivation to dig a little deeper.

There is nothing that inspires me more than a youthful outlook on life. As a new mom, I see that curiosity, drive and desire to learn from Oliver daily.  I rode this year in memory of my grandmother who suffered from a series of small strokes, for my mother who benefits from the research responsible for her pacemaker, and especially for my son to ensure he has access to a healthy and active community in the future.

Here are a few of my ride highlights:

1.       Starting the Ride with April Kawaguchi and her son - and sharing in her moving survivor story.

2.       Riding by the CN Tower (twice!)

3.       Hitting the halfway point rest stop (and then cruising downhill!)

4.       Watching families ride together and put their hearts into it!

Every 7 minutes someone dies from heart disease or stroke. Research will make a difference, and lives can be saved through prevention, and effective treatments.  Together, we have made a difference that will SAVE LIVES!

Next year, I hope to put together a team of riders (individuals, families & kids). If this is something you might be interested in participating in, let me know and I’ll keep you on the mailing list for 2011! It’s a blast to ride along the DVP.

Thanks again for your support.

Cristin