Patti spent decades working in the radio biz, across the country until six years ago when her life suddenly changed:

“It’s been six years since my heart attack (*and diabetes), and five years since my third, devastating stroke. I have put the diabetes into remission, lost about 90 pounds (*and kept it off) and I am grateful for Heart & Stroke! All the money raised goes back locally, and makes a HUGE difference."

"My heart attack was followed a year later by my first stroke, then six months after that, I had the second and third strokes.  I couldn’t move, paralyzed on the right side, had to learn to walk again and all that good stuff."

"My husband Rob and I owe everything to Heart & Stroke.  They have made so many advancements and provide so much help to those of us who need them. A heart attack and three strokes, surviving to the five-year mark (*after the 3rd) is extraordinary. I am so lucky, and never forget it!"

"We haven’t won yet at Monday Night Bingo! We just think of it as a weekly Heart and Stroke donation. Haha!” - Patti

“I have been wearing an internal pacemaker and defibrillator since 2009. I suffer from PVC'S AND VFIB and I also had a stroke in April 2020. I am now back to driving, I walk my dogs, house clean and most importantly I'm back to kayaking. My daughter Jessica has been by my side every step of the way and always told me you can do this when I wanted to give up. We play bingo every week together (4 books) it's our Monday night thing we do; never missed a week! Thank you Heart and Stroke for all you do" - Heather B., Eastern Passage

"My daughter was born with the heart condition TOF. When we were finding out about what [it] was, the doctor kept saying, “We will wait and see.” But my daughter is a fighter, and she is 23 years old now in college. Lots of up and down, but I love watching her to see what see does next!" - Annie B.

On April 7, 2022, Cathie H. and her husband began a two-week long rollercoaster ride.

“I am sitting in the CCU right now with my husband who is waiting for his surgery for blocked arteries. It is such a rollercoaster feeling. I will be playing with thoughts of him and his road to recovery. It has a new meaning for me now.”

“He is having his surgery tomorrow morning. He had an infection that needed to be cleared up before they could go ahead with it.”

On April 14, 2022, Cathie updated us with the good news! “Everything went great. He had a triple bypass and they repaired a valve. He came home yesterday and is settling into his new routine.”

"My sister had open heart surgery in 2020 for a condition she didn’t know she had until she was at the hospital for a simple day procedure. Her blood pressure went extremely low and they realized she needed a heart valve replaced with a pig valve and another one repaired. After 4 cancelled surgeries at the time she is doing well and we play bingo together each and very Monday night. The Heart and Stroke foundation does great work." - Cathy L. (Halifax)

"My husband was very lucky to survive a “widow maker” heart blockage and now plays Heart & Stroke Bingo with me every week. 

My mother also had a massive stroke that left her unable to walk, talk or eat. We support the Heart & Stroke Foundation in any way possible." 

- Kim R. (East Ragged Island)

"We play tv bingo every Monday night. I wanted to share a story about our sister Cathy from Halifax. On February 8, 2010 our sister had a massive heart attack with a brain injury. She had 2 cardiac arrests and 4 stents were put into her heart. She was only 53 years old when she had her heart attack, so she was a candidate for a relatively new procedure they were doing back then.

She was put in an induced comma and put on ice for 24 hours to preserve her brain activity and then 24 hours with heated blankets to bring her body temperature back to normal. 11 days later we took her off life support and she came back and today she is our Miracle sister. 

She still has some challenges but enjoys her life to the fullest; she is an avid reader, loves watching Jeopardy, going for walks, and visiting Lockeport beach cottages twice a year with her sisters. We are forever grateful to the QEII and the NS Rehab where she spent 3 months of recovery before going home. We are blessed to still have Cathy with us & thank God everyday for her recovery." 

-Elaine H. (Chester, NS)

"With my wife Leah currently suffering from Covid, and me sleeping downstairs in the man cave, she decided she wanted some fresh air for the first time in a few days so we decided to play TV Bingo tonight on the covered deck with some fresh fruit.

My grandmother and an uncle died suddenly from heart attacks, as well as my wife’s mother, and also one of my good friends just this spring at age 39. So we are very happy to support this wonderful cause weekly." - Mark V. (Coxheath, NS)

Mark and Leah submitted a lovely deck photo seen above.

"I lost my mom 23 years ago at the young age of 52, she took a massive heart attack and survived, but it eventually took her 9 months later.  Such a terrible disease, and I have supported the Heart and Stroke Foundation for many years.  

My mom and I loved playing BINGO together, I've been enjoying the TV Bingo every Monday night!" - Cindy W.

"My husband had a heart attack on our daughter’s 16th birthday two years ago. He was in the hospital for about a week and then came home.  

Thank you for all you are doing. We are blessed that he is still with us." - Sara B.

"Lost both my parents from heart attacks. We grew up in upper Lahave on the south shore. My dad had open heart surgery in his mid 40’s (pacemaker) and passed away from his 2nd heart attack at the age of 53. My mom passed at the age of 69 from her second heart attack." -Tammie S.

"My connection to the Heart and Stroke Foundation is my dad had Heart Disease and had a stroke at the age of 49. He was paralyzed on the left side of his body. I always was a CPR instructor for 26 years ending with my retirement in health care, plus I canvass for Heart and Stroke every February doing door to door campaign for 25 years. I have taken part in the big bike ride and our team won two years in a row. And recently I saw my husband have a stroke right in front of me. Thankfully it passed as quickly as it came with no deficiencies. I am proud to have worked so closely with the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia." - Sandy C.

"My first time with Heart & Stroke was when my dad had a stroke. Everyone was very kind and caring. My 2nd time was when my husband had a heart attack. It was very scary but again everyone was kind and caring and took great care of him. 

Then my father-in-law had a heart attack, then my Mother-in-law. My dad and father-in-law are no longer with us (wasn't heart related). But I still have my amazing Mother-in-law and husband. Heart and Stroke are very dear to my heart." - Amber N. (Bedford, NS)

"When my father was 26 he had a heart attack and stroke. Because he was young and fit he made it through the event but he completely lost the use of his left arm and hand as a result of the stroke. At 58 he suffered another major heart event, from which he was also able to recover. In 2013, having just turned 68 he had a heart attack and finally lost the battle. 

Because of organizations like Heart and Stroke Foundation I had my father in my life for 44 years instead of two. He knew his grandchildren and one of his great grandchildren. We are immensely thankful. Every time I play I think of him. I play in his memory." - Lisa (Glen Haven)

"I myself at the age of 49 suffered from a SCAD heart attack and quickly realized how precious life is. My daughter was able to find me and know exactly what to do to help save my life!" - Elaine (Sugarcamp)