Knock, Knock, It's The Heart And Stroke Foundation

If you get a knock at your front door, it may be a Heart and Stroke volunteer canvasser.

Senior Area Manager of Community Engagement Cheryl Moser says volunteers are easily identified with corresponding lanyards, informational packages, and donation receipts.

Moser says the Heart and Stroke Foundation fundraising campaign is the longest running is Canada, having started in 1958. She says there are 90,000 canvassers nationwide, 3,000 in Manitoba, with a goal of reaching two million homes and $10-million. She notes the funds go towards research of various focuses, adding there are nine fully funded research teams in Manitoba.

"Teams right now are focused on a lot of different areas, but some of them are researching how the heart can help to heal itself after having suffered a heart attack, so it doesn't have to result in a second heart attack. Some of the other research that we're funding right now is related to genetics. So, why do some families get affected by heart disease and stroke more than others."

She says the Heart and Stroke Foundation looks into and promotes the entire cardiovascular system.

"The link there is our blood vessels. Our blood vessels are all throughout our body and the two most critical organs requiring constant blood flow are our heart and brain. Without those [organs] we wouldn't be here."

Moser says heart disease and strokes do not only affect seniors with poor overall health but can be a risk to anyone, at any age, and any walk of life. She adds the volunteer canvassers will be have information on what steps are important to improve personal health.

She adds the Heart and Stroke Foundation is still accepting volunteer registrants. The door-to-door campaign started February 1 and runs until February 28.