ENGLISH | FRANÇAIS
By Joy Polley on 2012-03-18
Tillie's Team was created in honour of an amazing woman, my grandmother. She was attending a local gathering of weight loss clubs when she felt pain in her lower abdomen. She felt weak and we helped her to the floor. We called 911 immediately.
When Paramedics arrived they took her vitals.... Read Full Story
By Jeremy Loveday on 2012-03-19
I am excited to ride the Big Bike again this year! The costumes, warm-up games, cheering, and high energy fun make the Big Bike a great team building event. Our Friends of the HSF team is made up of office volunteers, friends, and family. Join our team if you want to be part of the fun!
By Melanie Barclay on 2012-03-19
I just wanted to tell my story in why i chose to do the Big Bike Race!
I want to raise awarness for the heart and stroke foundation! 1 - 3 people are affect from Heart problems and I am sure everyone knows somebody who has had heart problems in the past.
For me unfortunately... Read Full Story
By Heather Macdonald on 2012-03-22
Heart disease and strokes run rampant in my family with multiple heart attacks amongst my grandparents. One day I will have to deal with heart disease or stroke either with my parents or with myself and anything I can do now to make that experience easier, i'm glad to do! Raising money for research now... Read Full Story
By Chelsea on 2012-03-22
I can't wait for the Big Bike to roll through Northern BC! This will be my first year participating, and I look forward to being part of the action. I've already heard so many fun stories from others who participate every year. What a fun way to support health and well being :)
With heart... Read Full Story
By Lianna Jansen on 2012-03-22
I was moved to read this story from a friend and want to emphasis the power of gifting LIFE...new heart and lungs!!!
Here is Sharlie's story: We thought a visit to the hospital to see her old heart and lungs would be a special way to celebrate Sharlie's 33rd birthday. Before her transplant... Read Full Story
By Jessica Kwee on 2012-03-26
This will be my first time riding the Big Bike and I am looking forward to it! Many people I know have been affected by heart diesease and stroke so being a part of this is a great way to fight back!
By Jeremy Loveday on 2012-03-26
This is truly an amazing event which is why it is so successful. Everyone can ride the Big Bike! Teams can use their creativity around the team name which brings a sense of belonging for the members. When else do people get a chance to wear crazy costumes?? Go Big Bike!!
By Josie Angeli-Ainsworth on 2012-03-28
When I was born, I was named after my grandmother (affectionately called by all of us Nonna Peppina). She was full of life and love, a true matriarch of our family. My Nonna died in 1993.
My Nonna, died suddenly one day of a heart attack. After a beloved journey to her home country,... Read Full Story
By Josie Angeli-Ainsworth on 2012-03-28
There are two things I could never live without, my immediate family and my cousins J & J. Growing up, I don't think I hung out with anyone else except for these two guys. They were like big brothers, mentors and honestly, whenever I needed them, they were always there.
We hang out all... Read Full Story
By Sandra Ciccozzi on 2012-03-28
Looking forward to riding the Big Bike for a 3rd time...having fun with coworkers and supporting the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
By Jacky Kane on 2012-03-28
This will is my 6th year doing Big Bike and every year is so exciting especially observing a "first" time team when they finally see the bike live and in person! GO TEAMS!
By Terry Runions on 2012-03-28
My family and I (meaning my husband and 2 children) have been involved with the Heart and Stroke Foundation for at least 17 years. This is a cause near and dear to our hearts as my husbands father pass away from a heart attack at the age of 45.
I started volunteering for the Foundation as a... Read Full Story
By Lori Whalley on 2012-03-28
Big Bike is the place to be this spring. This is my 4th year riding with an amazing team on the Big Heart Champions bike in Abbotsford. As the Big Bike Coordinator for Fraser North & East I look forward to seeing the crazy and creative custumes, the familiar faces and the smiles on the new teams... Read Full Story
By Sara on 2012-03-28
In my first year with the Heart and Stroke Foundation, I really am learning that it takes a Big Heart to ride the Big Bike! There are so many amazing dedicated volunteers, participants, donors and team captains up and down the island and I love working with them!
By Amy Dunn on 2012-03-29
I have participated in Heart and Stroke events for several years now but in 2010, helping this cause took on personal meaning for me. My dad passed away suddenly of a heart attack at 68 years young. He was an amazing man who was always happy and full of funny stories. I volunteered at a Big Bike... Read Full Story
By Sheena Shuster on 2012-03-29
On February 2nd 2011 I became more connected with heart disease and stroke than I ever have been before. My Grandma suffered a stroke in the middle of the night when she was home alone. She didn’t know that she was having a stroke as she was not well informed of the signs beforehand.
She... Read Full Story
By Jillian Rodak on 2012-02-27
My friend and I were watching a movie at her place when all of the sudden she just kind of slumped over onto my shoulder. I thought she was joking around and pushed her away but she just lay over on the other side of the couch. I knew something was wrong. I tried to take her outside for some air. Within... Read Full Story
By Jillian Rodak on 2012-02-27
Hello, my name is Debbie and I’m 46 years old. In June, 2010 I had a heart attack. The night before, I had pain in my arm but didn’t think anything of it because I’m working with mouse all day at work. That night at bedtime I had a pain in my jaw, once again thought it was from eating. The next... Read Full Story
By Jillian Rodak on 2012-02-27
I was obese as a child and my family had a history of diabetes and high blood pressure. I admit that I didn’t make an effort to get healthy. I even ignored the symptoms and signs of heart disease. I cannot recall how many times I heard messages about my predisposition for a stroke or heart attack,... Read Full Story
By Stephanie Zerter on 2012-02-27
My Husband's emotions are all over the place. For the past 22 years we have had the best relationship. We had everything in common. He was very approachable. Since the stroke he is a completely different man. I can't say anything to him without upsetting him. After we have had arguments, we sit down... Read Full Story
By Winston on 2012-02-27
After cutting short an early morning bike ride, I lay in the grass coughing and feeling nauseated and short of breath. I wondered what was happening. Was it dehydration? Was it Job stress or the pizza from last night? Not long before, I had gotten a clean bill of health after passing a cardiac stress... Read Full Story
By Winston on 2012-02-27
At age 42, I was tipping the scales at over 300 pounds. I didn’t exercise, ate large amounts of unhealthy food and hadn’t seen a doctor in years. When I was told I needed open-heart surgery to save my life, the room seemed dark and I remember feeling like I had let everyone down. I felt like I had... Read Full Story
By Winston on 2012-02-27
I am blessed that neither my stroke nor my heart attack had significant long- term effects. The heart attack was a wake-up call to me about diet and exercise. I walk. Walk everywhere. Walk every day. I also talk to everyone I meet about the warning signs and what they can do to help themselves - namely... Read Full Story
By Stephanie Zerter on 2012-02-27
Mom and Dad divorced when I was very young and Dad moved to B.C. soon after. He and I kept in touch, although my siblings did not. He would call me every week and he would visit every couple years. We always had a very strong bond but 2 years ago we had an argument. I stopped calling and so did he. A... Read Full Story
By Leigh on 2012-02-27
At the age of 49 I was going to work about 6:45 a.m., I was deathly sick to my stomach. Trying to vomit, sweating profusely; NO CHEST PAIN. NO PAIN PERIOD. To make a long story short, I was having a heart attack. The doctor on duty at the ER; I feel; saved my life. He told my husband that he had no doubt... Read Full Story
By Stephanie Zerter on 2012-02-27
My dear friend David is 76 years old and had a stroke 2 years ago. He would tell people that I was his daughter and I would say he was my father. Although we were not family by blood, we were family by a bond. Despite his age, he was vivacious, active and as strong as a bull. He was lively, funny and... Read Full Story
Share
Your
Story
Browse stories by topic below:
