Hello:
Thanks for taking a look at my page.
I would like to tell you why I have decided to canvass and what your donation does.
I have a very personal reason for helping with the 2019 Heart&Stroke Fundraising Campaign:

I AM A SURVIVOR OF BOTH OPEN HEART SURGERY AND A STROKE.
• My stroke occurred in July 2013, at the same time as my heart surgery.
• Since my heart surgery and stroke seven years ago, I have been able to return to living a very active healthy “normal” life.
• I am back to teaching at the University of Toronto (in the School of Public Health)

I am working as a volunteer at Providence Healthcare—both in the rehabilitation hospital, and in the long-term care Providence Houses.

I am back to running competitively (though not as fast as seven years ago):
• Since 2016, each Fall, I have competed in 6 cross-country running races—including both the Ontario and the Canadian cross-country masters’ championships (for older folk)
• In 2019, I competed in the North American, Central American, and Carribbean Track & Field Championships (receiving medals in both the 400 metres and 800 metres races)
• This coming July, 2020, I will be competing in the World Masters Track & Field Championships, which will be held in Toronto--I will be competing in the over-80 year old category!

My “recovery” has only been possible because of the remarkable care I received during and after surgery, including:
• My mitral valve replacement surgery was at Toronto General Hospital
• My post-surgery rehab was at Bridgepoint hospital, and at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute (Rumsey Road)
• My neurological follow-ups were at Toronto Western Hospital
• My ongoing cardiac follow-ups have been at St Michael’s Hospital
• My emergency care has been at the Michael Garron (Toronto East General) Hospital.

In 2016, I responded to a request from the Heart and Stroke Foundation for canvassers on our street.
In 2017, I responded to a request from the Heart and Stroke Foundation for campaign captains in my neighbourhood.

This was a no-brainer for me:
• I am alive and healthy because of the work of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
• Of course I would help.
• If not me, then who?
• If not now, then when?
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Your donation will help all people in Canada, but it is especially important for women, who face even more dire statistics:
• heart disease and stroke are the #1 cause of premature death in women in Canada
• 53% of women who experience heart attack symptoms have them go unrecognized. ·
• 2/3 of all heart disease and stroke clinical research focuses on men.

Women's hearts and brains are different and we can’t expect doctors to recognize the symptoms of heart disease and stroke in women until the research does.

To close the research gap, Heart & Stroke has pledged to double the dollars invested in research for women.

I need your help to save lives and create more moments with the people we love.

Thank you so much for your support.
Michael (Goodstadt)