Wellesley woman supports Heart & Stroke campaign
HEART DISEASE AND STROKES STILL
remain two of the most common causes of death in Canada. With more than 57,000 deaths from heart disease in 2022, it was the number two cause of death, behind only cancer, while strokes came in at number five, with just under 14,000 deaths.
It is a story that is all too real for Wellesley resident Nancy Bell, whose mother Doreen passed away from a stroke just before Christmas in 2011.
“I had to open gifts under the Christmas tree, they were wrapped by her with her signature. It was a really tough Christmas to go through,” Bell explained.
The experience prompted her to become a fundraiser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada’s Heart Month campaign, something she’s doing now that February has rolled around.
“I lived two hours away. I got the phone call on a Wednesday and she passed on the Monday… So I just thought to honour her and to reach back to the community, I would certainly roll up my sleeves and help out this worthwhile cause,” Bell said.
Bell describes her mother as “the definition of ‘mom’” and someone who always had a deep care for others.
“She was hardworking. Every time she opened up her purse it wasn’t for her. She was so unselfish. She was so involved with the church – she helped with pancake suppers. She decorated the church each and every season, whether it be Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
She raised me and my sister very well – she taught us discipline and respect. She got us working hard and involved in so many community aspects,” Bell added.
The attendance at Doreen’s funeral, where Bell gave the eulogy, shows the kind of person she was and the impact she had, Bell said.
“The funeral home in Kitchener…was jam packed. I couldn’t believe that even her dentist came. It’s like ‘whose dentist comes to your funeral?’ That’s how well liked she was.”
As part of her fundraising efforts, Bell hand wrote a letter to distribute to some 200 people in her neighbourhood to add a little personal touch when asking for donations.
“I honestly was a bit uncomfortable reaching out to all my friends because it’s, like, ‘are they going to feel obligated to do this for me? Are they going to be upset that I’m doing this?’ So that’s why I’d rather honestly reach out to people who I have never even met and leave it up to them to decide.”
What started with a goal of $250 has since grown to more than $1,200.
“I thought, ‘well, I can make more than $250.’ but if I make $500, that’s amazing. I’ve made over that now, so now my goal is $1,500 but, again, I might be surpassing that in the next week. So, finally, $2,000 – I would be kissing the ground, $2,000 would be incredible,” Bell added.
“It’s a vital cause and I’m just happy to be part of it. And I’m just over the moon excited for my donations.”
Those interested in donating can visit www. heartandstrokevirtualcanvass.crowdchange. ca/53633/page/175142.