The Owen Sound Attack, in partnership with the Owen Sound Cardiac Rehabilitation program, the Owen Sound Hospital Foundation and Leeder and Associates Wealth Management Group of RBC Dominion Securities is pleased to announce the first ever Heartbeats and Hockey Sticks event in support of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.
The goal of Heartbeats and Hockey Sticks is to raise money for a very valuable program for people in Grey and Bruce counties living with heart disease. The money raised will fund a new home based exercise program that will let 50 more people enter the program each year. This home program will shorten the wait time and will still allow people who cannot travel to the YMCA regularly benefit from cardiac rehabilitation.
“Presently, the wait time to get into the program after having a cardiac event, like a heart attack, bypass surgery, coronary stent, or heart valve replacement, is 5 months.”, states Dr. Brian O’Doherty, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist for GBHS. “In other Ontario centres the wait time is 1-2 months and this concern needs to be addressed in our area. We are very pleased to partner with the Attack on this important initiative.”
The fundraiser for the Cardiac Rehabilitation will take place on Saturday, February 6th when the Attack host the Guelph Storm. The Attack will once again wear special, themed uniforms for the game, which will be auctioned off in a live auction format following the game by MPP Bill Walker. Throughout the evening, fans can also participate in the puck toss during the 2nd intermission, the Silent Auction (south concourse), hat pass and more. Leeder and Associates Wealth Management Group of RBC Dominiion Securities is the title sponsor of the event.
“We have always recognized the importance of the local Hospital and Hospital Foundation to our community.”, says Bert Leeder of Leeder and Associates. “We are proud to partner with the Attack in Heartbeats & Hockey Sticks and to contribute to such a worthy cause. More importantly, all of the funds raised will stay in our local community and will benefit a program that means so much to area residents”
Prior to the event, the Attack and East Side Mario’s will be holding a Celebrity Serve event on Wednesday, January 27th. Fans will be served their favorite dishes by the Attack with 10% of food sales going directly to the Heartbeats and Hockey Sticks Fundraising initiative. Fans can also purchase Heartbeats & Hockey Sticks long-sleeve t-shirts at the Attack Shack for $20, with all proceeds going to the initiative. Fans can check in at www.attackhockey.com for further event details as they become available.
“Our entire organization is very proud to partner with Grey Bruce Health Services and Dr. Brian O’Doherty to help to secure funding for the hospital program, operating through the Family Y, that brings the advantages of rehabilitative care to those who have suffered a major heart crisis.”, said Dr. Bob Severs, Attack President. “I hazard to guess that there is virtually no one in Grey and Bruce Counties, where this program serves, that has not been touched in some way by heart disease… a personal crisis, the loss of a loved one or neighbour, the disability experienced by a friend. Please help us hit our goal of $35,000 by February 6th. Every dollar donated stays in Grey and Bruce to assist this essential heart care service.”
Cardiac rehabilitation front line workers and past participants of the program will be at Attack home games in January, beginning Saturday against the Erie Otters. Please drop by the table in the south concourse to meet the staff and learn more about the Cardiac Rehabilitation program.
We wish to thank our sponsors: Leeder and Associates Wealth Management Group of RBC Dominion Securities, Story Book Park Embroidery, East Side Mario’s and Bayshore Broadcasting.
source: media release, Attack Hockey
