Women are dying unnecessarily. Even though they make up just over half of Canada’s population, gaps in clinical research, awareness, diagnosis and care continue to threaten women’s heart and brain health.
The good news is that the Heart & Stroke Women’s Initiative is transforming women’s heart and brain health to save more women. We’re more determined than ever to mobilize partners from all sectors of society to break down the barriers and save more women.
In recent years, over $25 million has been invested in groundbreaking, women-focused research and impactful awareness campaigns that are making a real difference in every community across Canada.
We’re proud of the strides we’re making in closing the gaps in awareness, research, diagnosis and care. We see a future where every woman receives the care she needs to live a longer, healthier life. We’re so thankful to have you by our side!
Pregnant, terrified –and misdiagnosed
In her seventh month of pregnancy, 30-year-old Megan Snook experienced swelling in her hands and feet, vision and a splitting headache. She sent her latest pressure reading to her friend, Carly, a nurse. Carly scared. A reading above 130/80 is considered high Megan’s was 150/126.
Over the previous few days, Megan had her doctor twice. She then went to the delivery ward at the hospital, where she was sent home.
Megan woke up that night paralyzed and unable With husband Jayce, she travelled by ambulance stroke centre where the shock of being diagnosed two hemorrhagic strokes sent her into labour. Thankfully, healthy Levi was born two days later.
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Discover personal stories, innovative research and the latest updates on women’s heart and brain health. heartandstroke.ca/womenshealth
disease: two-thirds of clinical research focuses on men. Despite chronic pain, Megan is finding her way forward,
Women presenting with cardiovascular symptoms can get turned away because healthcare providers don’t have enough information about women and stroke and heart
Megan is doing well today, but continues to experience effects from her stroke, including pain and vision issues.
Learn more about her story: heartandstroke.ca/Megan
Transforming women’s heart and brain health
Introducing two winners of the Research Networks of Excellence in Women’s Heart and Brain Health.
Armed with an understanding that women face unique, systemic challenges when it comes to safeguarding their heart and brain health, and that sex and gender-specific research is desperately lacking, Heart & Stroke has established the Networks of Excellence (NOEs). The first of their kind in Canada, the NOEs will help jumpstart cutting-edge heart and brain research for women.
Heart & Stroke has partnered with the Brain Canada Foundation and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Institute of Gender and Health (CIHR-IGH) and are excited to announce two of the research teams who will receive $5M in funding over five years to create a better understanding of women’s risk factors for heart conditions during pregnancy and improve diagnosis and treatment of living with the effects of stroke.
Dr. D’Souza’s network of experts to work together heart-related deaths illness during and His team will:
• Review all heart-related serious illness to identifying reduce their occurrence.
Dr. Rohan D’Souza, McMaster University
• Ensure pregnant receive the specialized health outcomes for them and their babies.
StrokeGoRed, formal research dedicated to women.
knowledge on how and women and and mentorship to generation of researchers working with stroke
Dr. Amy Yu, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto
The anti-inflammatory diet: Eat healthy, reduce your risk
Here’s how to support long-term health: heartandstroke.ca/antiinflammatory
Follow these tips to narrow down the activity that will keep you moving: heartandstroke.ca/exercise
Alison’s lifelong heart for giving
Alison Twiner’s Heart & Stroke journey began at the age of ten, when she accompanied her mother on her rounds as a Heart & Stroke canvasser in Vancouver: “Every door was opened to us… it was an amazing experience!”
She’s been eager to give back ever since. Her extensive background in technology and as a connector of people and ideas served the foundation well in her 2020 role as Chair of the Heart & Stroke Board of Directors: “It’s a privilege for me to share everything I’ve learned helping those big brands to do business and grow, with Heart & Stroke, who do good.”
A life-saving gift, a legacy of hope
Your legacy gift will make an impact for generations to come. Together, we can build a future where everyone enjoys longer, healthier lives uninterrupted by heart disease or stroke.
Alison is ever-inspired by people’s lived experience with heart disease and stroke: “The research funded by Heart & Stroke is incredibly impactful. The stories touch people’s hearts.” Her commitment continues She hopes to inspire other younger same, because as she puts it: “Heart weight” in the fight to beat heart disease and stroke.
Contact numbers are:
Mary Goodfellow - ON 1-800-205-4438
Susan Deike - BC, YK, AB, NWT, SK, MB 1-403-451-3675
To learn more about Legacy giving, visit: heartandstroke.ca/legacy
A gift of securities is one of the most cost-effective ways to support the cause that’s close to your heart. Learn more at: heartandstroke.ca/securities
