i. Big Bike in your community
How can you fit 29 people onto one bike? Make it really big! The Heart and Stroke Foundation is bringing Big Bike to various locations across Ontario this May and June 2010. Help support their fundraising by hosting a Big Bike event. All fitness levels can participate as each team pedals the bike for 15-20 minutes. It is hoped that each rider will raise $50, and prizes will be awarded to those who raise more. Space is limited, so be sure to book an event date soon. Contact Bernadette Le-Quang at blequang [at] hsf.on.ca or 416-489-7111 ext. 348 to book an event date with a Big Bike coordinator in your area.
ii. CPR courses
Cardiac arrest is when a person stops breathing and their heart stops beating. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can increase survival rates by almost four times. The more people who know CPR skills (involving contacting emergency help, and hands-on chest compressions and rescue breathing) the more lives that can potentially be saved. The Heart and Stroke foundation of Ontario can be contacted for CPR training in your area. Or you can order a "CPR Anytime Personal Learning Program Kit." The kit is ideal for a training event for staff and includes a DVD, booklet and other necessary resources. To order, call 1-888-523-7325 or e-mail szambon [at] hsf.ca.
For information about training with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario in your area visit www.heartandstroke.on.ca.
For more information about ordering the personal learning kit, see www.heartandstroke.on.ca.
iii. Blood Pressure Action Plan tool
The Heart and Stroke Foundation introduces a new, user-friendly design of the My Heart & Stroke Blood Pressure Action Plan!
The purpose of this tool is to support users who want to self-manage their high blood pressure or hypertension. Check out the new site at http://www.heartandstroke.ca/bplogin. To register to use this tool, there is a 23 question pre-assessment tool which gives customized health tips based on age, gender, etc. It takes 10-15 minutes to fill it out.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario is a member of the Minding Our Bodies Advisory Committee. Their website (http://www.heartandstroke.on.ca) provides a wealth of information, event listings (for example, where to find CPR courses in your area, which may be helpful to train your program leaders), and other useful tools.
