We curl because we can, for those we love

Every year, I commit to volunteering my services to an event that raises funds for a cause that touches most of our lives. The Ironman Outdoor Curling Bonspiel was founded and hosted for the first time 13 years ago after the father in law of the founder died from a heart attack.

Most of us will know someone, or will have been personally, affected by heart disease at one time in their lives. It is up to us, through physical activity and healthy living, to raise prevent heart disease from affecting us personally. Unfortunately, we cannot predict the future, but we can certainly do everything that we can to decide our own fate.

So every year, we hit the ice - outside. We curl for those that have had a stroke and are unable to communicate, have been paralyzed, or worse - have died. We gather to curl on the Assiniboine River in Winnipeg for those who have suffered from heart disease and must be medicated to prevent future attacks. We also play the game for the families of the patients affected. We do this because we care.

The Heart & Stroke foundation helps these families. They provide resources of therapy for their patients, information, and more to prepare them for the life that will now be normal for them. They are an integral part of our community, and we can lend a hand in raising funds for them.

We do it because we can.

This year, as an added bonus - we teamed up with the crew at Fresh FM. Matt Sutton helped organize a media challenge event to encourage the local media personalities to try curling, a sport that some have never attempted.

The bonus event went well and we also were honored to have Chris Greaves and Chris Kowalczuk, from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, throw some rocks on the ice.

When all is said and done, the event received an overwhelming response with 56 registered teams and raised more funds for the Heart and Stroke foundation.

If you missed registration but would still like to donate to the event, you can do so here.