Community partnerships support patients’ heart health

News release
For immediate release

Saanich, BC – The District of Saanich is celebrating a $5,000 donation from the First Open Heart Society of B.C., which will ensure the Take Heart program at Saanich Commonwealth Place (SCP) can continue offering important services to patients in the community.

Dr. Victor Aldrete, Vice President of the First Open Heart Society of B.C., presents a $5,000 donation to the Take Heart Program at Saanich Commonwealth Place. Joining him are Dawson Nemeth, who had open heart surgery as an infant at BC Children’s Hospital and whose family received support from the First Open Heart Society; Lisa Banks, Health Services Programmer with the District of Saanich; and Derek Cooze, board member with the B.C. First Open Heart Society.

“We are grateful for the society’s support for this vital program for people in our community with cardiac or chronic conditions,” says Lisa Banks, Health Services Programmer with the District of Saanich. “Thanks to this community partnership, more people can take steps to improve their health and quality of life.”

Take Heart program participant Dennis Watts receives guidance from Sandy Gilmour, RN and Clinical Lead for the program.

Take Heart is a 12-week supervised exercise program benefiting those who have had a heart event, or other risk factors including high blood pressure, diabetes, and lung/kidney disease. SCP is one of three local locations offering the program.

“When someone has experienced a heart event or may be at risk of one, they need support to manage their heart health to the best of their ability. That’s where the Take Heart program comes in,” says Dr. Victor Aldrete, Vice President of the First Open Heart Society of B.C. “We’re pleased to lend our support to this worthy program, and very happy to see it continue in Saanich.”

Lisa Banks, Health Services Programmer with the District of Saanich, gets a reading at a public blood pressure clinic hosted at Saanich Commonwealth Place.

Saanich was the inaugural site for the Take Heart program 23 years ago, which was developed in partnership with Island Health.

Learn more

For more information about Take Heart program offerings at Saanich Commonwealth Place, please visit the District of Saanich website.

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Media Contact
Saanich Communications
media@saanich.ca