Lisa Slater

Rainy Day People

Sunday 23rd Aug Today is a wet and rainy day - but what’s a little water? I love the rain, so it was a wonderful 1.8 km Walk for Heart and Stroke today.  Did you know that the acronym BE FAST can help you to determine if someone might be having a stroke?  Share

Day 22 Done

Saturday 22nd Aug I did a slightly different route today, walking 2.4km for Heart and Stroke. The wind is really blowing. The forecasted rain and storms haven’t materialized…yet.  I’m noticing and amazed by the countless different and beautiful flora  of varied shape, size, and colour. Absolutely beautiful!  Did you know that, in Canada, someone dies of stroke every 48 minutes? Another reason why The Heart and Stroke Foundation is vitally important. Thank you so much again for your fantastic support of my walk and the foundation! You have the biggest, most generous hearts! ♥️ Share

Ten Days to Go!

Friday 21st Aug I have ten days to go and 9km left to walk for my official 50km Walk for Heart and Stroke. I will walk an additional 50km by the end of September because wonderful donors more than doubled my fundraising goal of $500. Our total raised now sits at $1250. I walked another 2.1 km today as the sun shone and the breeze blew. There are more signs of fall with coloured leaves and fallen acorns. Balou came with me for about half of it. We both had some extra pep in our step today but when she decides she’s done- she is DONE. She digs her paws in and will not move. Today I tried something a bit different that I read was good for your heart and gives you more when walking. It’s called Japanese intermittent walking. Repeatedly walk as fast as you can for one minute and then walk regular pace for two minutes. Thank you so much for supporting this journey and my fundraising efforts. There is still time to donate. Any amount is most appreciated.  With most heartfelt thanks…❤️  Share

20 Days of Walking for Heart and Stroke

Thursday 20th Aug It was yet another beautiful day for a 2.1 km walk for The Heart and Stroke Foundation. A monarch butterfly flew around me for a bit. Most of the walk, I was followed by a butterfly called a Mourning Cloak. It flew around me,  closer and closer each time. Then it rested on the road in front of me, putting on a show, opening and closing its beautiful wings as it rotated almost 360 degrees.  Signs like these give me hope. The Heart and Stroke Foundation gives hope through research, driving lifesaving medical breakthroughs, advocating for better health, closing the gaps in health inequity, and bringing together the brightest minds to improve diagnosis, care, and support. Thank you so much for continuing to support my efforts and theirs by following my walk each day, sending such positive, encouraging messages, and by donating. The heart you’ve shown over the past 20 days has been amazing! Thank you so very much!♥️ Share

Day 19 Done!

Wednesday 19th Aug Late afternoon sun is one of my favourite things. Some of the world is in shadow and dark but the sun finds slivers of space through which to shine, dappling the darkness with warm and brilliant light.  On today’s 2.1 km walk for Heart and Stroke, I found what looked like a dog’s baseball, a wasp and a dragonfly tousling it out, and what I thought was a lot of bear scat.  Turns out it was debris from under a riding mower. ☺️Great news! Up to 80% of premature heart disease and stroke events are preventable through healthy lifestyle choices and managing underlying conditions, according to The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Thank you so much for supporting me on this journey to support the foundation. We’ve raised an amazing $1200!  My heart is filled with gratitude. ♥️ Share

Day 18 ✅

Tuesday 18th Aug A walk in two parts today, covering 1.6km. With a chill in the evening air, the sky is getting darker earlier. I was grateful for the dogs’ company. They seemed to know I needed it for the entire walk yesterday and today. I’m so grateful and amazed that donations for my Walk for Heart and Stroke continue to come in. Thanks to you, and your generous hearts, we’ve raised $1200 for The Heart and Stroke Foundation! Thank you so very much.  Be gentle with each other and yourselves. ♥️ Share

Day 17👍🏻

Monday 17th Aug From my heart to yours, thank you for continuing to take this journey with me, be it by encouraging me, making a donation, or inspiring me with your support or your story. Walking beneath the bright, beautiful moon tonight was calming. I added another 1.6 km. Whatever today holds for you, know you are loved. ❤️ Share

Day 16 and Counting

Sunday 16th Aug Add 2.1 more kilometres to my Walk for Heart! I’m up to 32 of 50. I feel so grateful that I can walk. In doing so, thanks to your amazing generosity, together we are supporting the great work of The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. The foundation states, “Dr. Michael Hill’s research cut the death rate from major strokes in half - giving many people a second chance at life. Heart and Stroke donors made this possible.” With heartfelt thanks♥️ Share

Almost Halfway There

Saturday 15th Aug I added 2.1 km to my walk total for The Heart and Stroke Foundation today. The sun was shining, the breeze was blowing, and the birds were singing. Did you know that, in addition to lifesaving research, the foundation advocates “for public policies, healthier environments, improved access to support services, and a strong and equitable  health system for all people in Canada.” .?  Share

Two Weeks Done ♥️

Friday 14th Aug Brad and my Mom and Dad may be the only ones reading this but I am blogging my progress to keep myself accountable, to keep this important cause visible, and to track my progress for you. Today was a beautiful, breezy day for a 2.1 km walk, with a wee bit of rain at the end to cool me off. I’m neither the fastest nor am I walking the furthest…but I’m doing it.  Two weeks in, I am committed.  I’m now more than halfway to my distance goal and, thanks to you, more than double my fundraising goal for The Heart and Stroke Foundation. Funds raised help fuel the foundation’s research,  lifesaving breakthroughs, and treatments for heart disease, stroke, and vascular cognitive impairment. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Because you have helped me to raise more than double my goal, I will double the 50km distance set by the foundation. I will walk 100 km by the end of September.  It  is never too late to donate. Feel free to share this. Thank you so much for your amazing support - in every form! With heartfelt thanks♥️ Share

Lucky #13

Friday 14th Aug My dad came along with me for a big part of today’s Walk for Heart and Stroke. It was a very special and gratitude-filled day. ♥️ Share

Day 12 +2km

Wednesday 12th Aug I added 2 more kilometres to my Walk for Heart and Stroke today. I’m almost halfway to the distance goal and more than double my fundraising goal. Thank you so much for your amazing  support, in encouraging words and donations. I am beyond grateful. ❤️ Share

Day 11✅

Tuesday 11th Aug Today I walked another 1.6 km for The Heart and Stroke Foundation. I’m thankful for the opportunity to walk and to make a difference, together with you. Thanks to donors like you, deaths from heart disease and stroke have declined by 75% since 1952.  That’s fantastic! Your support will help make the next exciting breakthrough possible. I so appreciate your motivating words, likes, and donations. ♥️ Share

Day 10✅

Monday 10th Aug Today’s 1.6km walk saw beautiful gardens, flowers…and the neighbourhood elephant is back.  my heart to yours, much love and gratitude. Take care of yourself and each other.  ❤️ Share

Day 9 Was Fine!

Sunday 9th Aug

The storms have passed, revealing an absolutely beautiful day. Perfect for a 1.8 km walk. I’m sharing a photo of the world’s smallest frog who welcomed me home. I’m so grateful that I can walk and for such an important cause. Thank you so much for cheering me on and for your ongoing donations. Thanks to you, I’ve more than doubled my fundraising goal, with 22 days left to walk. It’s never too late to donate.  Please feel free to share the link to my fundraising page. The other day I shared that 9 in 10 people have at least 1 risk factor for heart disease or stroke.  The great news is that often, that “one is a MODIFIABLE risk factor for heart disease and stroke,” says Doug Roth, CEO, Heart & Stroke. “The good news is that almost 80% of premature heart disease and stroke can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle changes and other risk factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol can often be effectively managed and controlled through lifestyle changes and medication.”♥️

Share

Stormy Day But Walk Done! ⛈️

Saturday 8th Aug I hope that you and yours are safe where you are. Parts of Ontario have been having wicked thunderstorms, including where I am. Some areas had huge hail and tornadoes.  I tried to wait the storms out so I could do my Walk for Heart outside but they just kept coming, one storm after another. I found a Healthy Heart 1.6 km(1 mile) Walk video on YouTube and did that. Today’s walk done! In the time it takes you to read this, a family somewhere has been changed forever. Thank you so much for your donations to fund lifesaving research breakthroughs and for your kind words and support. With heartfelt gratitude, we’re making a difference. ♥️ Share

Week 1 ✅

Friday 7th Aug It was a good 2km walk today. Not a long distance for most  I know but every step matters. I came across Makwa, the bear mascot of Norland. Makwa is the Ojibwe(Anishinaabemowin)  word for bear.  To them, the bear represents strength, courage, healing, and protection.  How fitting! Thank you so much for your continued encouragement, support, and donations. It’s not too late to donate. ♥️ Share

Day 6✅

Thursday 6th Aug Another day done! A bit hard to get going today as I didn’t sleep well last night and the weather today was gloomy and on and off rainy - but I did it. I got out and walked 1.8km for Heart. Did you know that women are disproportionately affected by stroke? 45% more women succumb to stroke than men and because they tend to  live longer, more women live with the effects of stroke. The medical world has begun to realize female-specific research is integral to their treatment and health.  Share

Added 1km More

Wednesday 5th Aug It was such a beautiful night, I went for another Walk for Heart tonight, adding 1 km more! Share

5 Alive

Wednesday 5th Aug Another perfect day for a 1.8km Walk for Heart! Going a bit faster and stronger each day. Today I saw beautiful forests, wild raspberries and flowers, and even signs of (gasp!) fall! I’m so thankful for your encouragement, kind words, and donations. My fundraising goal has been exceeded almost by double! I’m grateful beyond words. Did you know that 1 in 5 deaths in Canada is due to heart disease or stroke? Let’s change that together. ❤️ Share

Day 4 in the Books

Tuesday 4th Aug It was a beautiful day for a walk today….and it’s our 31st anniversary. The sun was shining. A breeze was blowing. The dogs came with me for 0.6km. I went on to do 2km today. It was just such a gorgeous day. Walking in and noticing nature is so good for the soul and mind. I found a blue jay feather (the Blue Jay trades this weekend feel like they’re breaking up the band to me). I also came across a little library and a butterfly that seemed to be following me almost all the way. Did you know that every 9 minutes in Canada, someone is lost to heart disease? Lives and families are forever changed. Thank you so very much for  supporting my small effort to fund Heart and Stroke research, education, and treatment.  Share

Day 3 ✅

Monday 3rd Aug I dedicate today’s walk to Kevin Gausman- the heart of the Blue Jays. It’s a beautiful, breezy, sunny day - much drier than yesterday! Balou came with me for part of today’s walk. She celebrated with a roll in the grass when she was done. Did you know that nine out of ten Canadians have at least one risk factor for heart disease and stroke? Thank you so much for your support and encouragement. Education, research, and treatment are vital!  Share

Wet One-But Done!

Sunday 2nd Aug It’s a wet, rainy day and looks like it will be well into the night. I love me a rainy day so just finished a 1.6 km Walk for Heart. Happy to have  B join me today.  We’re soaked but awesome! Thank you so much for your support and donations!❤️ Share

Day 1 - A Great Start!

Saturday 1st Aug Thank you so very much to each of you who has donated. Your generosity has blown me away and touched my heart! I am even more motivated to walk, succeed, and raise funds for The Heart and Stroke Foundation.  It was a beautiful day for a walk-2.2km today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!  Share