Katharine Wiens

Why I’m walking 120km

Why I’m Walking 120 km for Heart & Stroke

Heart disease has touched my family in a very real way.

In 2010, my dad went through a massive surgery — a quadruple bypass and valve replacement. Watching someone you love go through something like that changes the way you see things. It’s scary, and it reminds you how fragile life really is.

Now in 2026, I’m watching my father-in-law prepare to go through heart surgery as well. Seeing both of these men — two of the most important people in my life — face heart disease has hit close to home in a way I can’t ignore.

When I saw the opportunity to walk 120 km for the Heart & Stroke Foundation, it honestly felt like it showed up at the perfect time.

This is actually my first time ever doing any kind of fundraising, but it feels important to me. Heart disease runs in families, and knowing that my own chances of dealing with it someday are higher makes me want to pay attention, support research, and do something positive now.

So this walk is for my dad, for my father-in-law, and for anyone whose life has been affected by heart disease.

If sharing this story helps raise awareness, supports research, or even encourages one person to take better care of their heart, then it’s worth every step.

And for me — every kilometer will be walked thinking about the people I love.