Have a Heart for Headwaters launches for month of February

By Paula Brown

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

February is known by heart as the month of love, but it also marks Heart Month in Canada. 

Headwater's Health Care Foundation (HHCF) has launched a campaign called “Have a Heart for Headwaters” and is reaching out to the Dufferin-Caledon community to help raise funds for new cardiac equipment at the local hospital. 

“Have a Heart for Headwaters enables us to rally around Heart Month and since the government does not fund the medical equipment our health care team needs, we are truly grateful to our generous community members who reach out in support,” said Nicole Warren, Senior Coordinator, Direct Response, Marketing & Communications for HHCF.

The local hospital is in need of a new Electrocardiogram (ECG) Machine to replace their current aging one, which is more than 10 years old and at the end of its serviceable lifespan of 10 to 12 years. The new ECG machine will support the nearly 15,000 patients who arrive at Headwaters with cardiac concerns each year. 

“We're a busy place and we see a lot of patients who have heart issues,” said K.C Carruthers, CEO of HHCF. “We want to make sure that our health care team has the very best tools on hand and the best medical equipment to provide the care they need to.”

K.C noted that ECG machines can be used to detect a number of conditions related to the heart including arrhythmias, coronary heart disease, heart attacks, and cardiomyopathy. 

“There's a whole range of heart disorders that can be diagnosed with the help of this and then patients can be directed to the treatment appropriate for them,” he said. 

Through the Have a Heart for Headwaters fundraiser, HHCF is hoping to raise at least $17,000, which will cover the complete cost of the new ECG machine. 

“[Headwaters] is the first place you're going to be brought in an emergency, it's the hospital closest to home for so many people in Dufferin and Caledon so it's important for us to be able to help people get the right tests,” said K.C. “This new [ECG] machine benefits the community by being close to home and of course with medical interventions, particularly with the heart, time is of the essence. The faster you can get an answer, the quicker you can get the best treatment and that in certain cases, can save lives or prevent more serious damage to the heart.” 

Headwaters Health Care Foundation has partnered with a number of local businesses for Have a Heart for Headwaters to help raise donations.  

Participating business and how donations will be given include: 

Drake Laboratory: will donate 15 per cent of all online sales from customers who use code HAH22 at checkout

Green Monkey Creative: will donate 10 per cent of all new graphic design projects 

Nifty Nook: when you place an order for pick up, they will donate 10 per cent of your order to HHCF

Shop with Purpose: when you purchase something from the Have A Heart for Headwaters collection on their website, 10 per cent of the purchase will be donated 

Team Apex: for every home sold in the month of February, Team Apex will donate $500 to cardiac care at Headwaters

The Kitchen at Mono Mill: will donate $1 for each take out order in February and March to HHCF

The Weathervane: when you purchase any candle, 20 per cent will be donated to HHCF

Windrush Estate Winery: when you book a Wine Tour for Four, $20 will be donated to HHCF.

Donation can also be made at www.hhcfoundation.com or call 519-941-2702 ext.2303.