June has always been my favorite month of the year. It’s home to the longest days of the year, the warm nights, the wrap-up of a school year, the start of summer, the trees in full bloom, the smell of fresh-cut grass, and the chimes of the neighbourhood ice cream truck.
The end of June marks my first year as Executive Director of the Heart Institute Foundation, June 30th to be exact, so this will be my first newsletter that covers Father’s Day. As much as I love June, it also brings up much heartache and guilt for me. Nineteen years ago, after celebrating my dad’s 57th birthday on June 5th, I dealt with the heart-wrenching phone call the following day that he had had a fatal heart attack while golfing. My dad, Jeffrey, had been golfing with my soon-to-be husband Tony. The Sunday that followed was Father’s Day and the Sunday after that my wedding day. Still in shock, grieving and broken, I walked down the aisle because I knew my dad would be seriously disappointed if I didn't.
In the weeks that followed, anger would begin to simmer when cleaning out my dad’s personal items as I found endless containers of over-the-counter heartburn medication and Tums. Once an active man, my dad’s belly had grown in stature and depth, and while I encouraged him to get back to the gym, excuse after excuse followed. I am angry at myself that I hadn’t seen the signs, understood his family history with heart disease, and worse, accepted his excuses. I knew better and while I didn’t know it at the time, a light began to burn deep within my soul. The universe had its plan, so when out of the blue the Heart Institute reached out to me, I knew where I was meant to go.
I started this new and challenging role with fundraising as our top priority, but for me, there is a deeper purpose which is to set out to educate, motivate and bring awareness to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute and heart disease as a whole. My dad never had the opportunity to make it to the Heart Institute, but I know if he had, he would likely be here with me today. Life-saving treatments happen every day. And now, our brilliant researchers and scientists are working diligently to find new treatments and therapies, changing lives today, and for decades to come.
But here’s the thing, here’s what triggers me the most - 80% of heart disease is preventable with a healthy diet and physical activity. It’s a hard thing to ask- I know, I can still see my dad’s eye roll. But you know what? Grieving is harder.
So, considering, this is my first Father’s Day letter, I want to take this single opportunity- to remind you, to invest in yourself. You invest in yourself, by knowing your risks, taking charge of your physical well-being, and putting in the work- telling yourself you want to be there to walk your daughters, or sons down the aisle, and if you’re lucky, your grandchildren too. Invest in your Heart Institute as well, for if the time comes, we will be here for you too.
I promise you - no more sappy stuff, but to wrap up the Father’s Day topic - a huge thank you to Waterdon Construction for matching all Father’s Day donations up to $10,000. We saw beautiful tributes for your mothers in cards and donations for Mother’s Day - let us continue to spread the love for Father’s Day. For all the men in our lives.
I also want to thank so many of you who responded to our Nursing Week outreach. It was the first time we had a matching donation, (thank you Tom and Sarah Demarco!) which helped motivate so many of you to make a donation and leave a wonderful message for our nurses. While we can never really repay them for the selfless work they have done over the last 15 months, we hope they felt a little spoiled and deeply appreciated.
I also want to extend a huge round of applause to all of you who took part in the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend. Team Heart made an impact. We had an amazing group of 92 individuals from all walks of life, lacing up for the cause - patients, their family members and friends along with scientists, researchers, and support staff at the Institute. With each step, each heartbeat, we saw your commitment to the Heart Institute - and we thank you. Next year we promise to be standing on the sidelines cheering you on.
And you have no idea how excited our team is to bring you new details about JUMP IN™ for Women’s Heart Health this September. It’s going to be “EPIC”. It was a quick turnaround for us last year to put this virtual event together, however, this year, with months of preparation, we intend to make this the “must take part” event of the year. New partners, influencers, brands, and health and wellness experts from across the country are jumping in and reaching out to their communities. We’ve still got a ways to go until this 30-day challenge begins on September 1, but our Facebook group is already setting the tone- inspiring and motivating and heartwarming.
Wishing all of you a smooth transition into summer, a second dose of the vaccine, deep meaningful hugs and an appreciation for everything life has to offer. Soak in the sunshine, let some of the darker times ease and embrace the new possibilities ahead.
As always, stay healthy and safe,
Much Love,
Lianne