The legacy gift that saved a fathers life
Fall 2025 Impact Report
Beat as one
In February 2018, eight-year-old Max Pozzo attended a Jump Rope for Heart school assembly, where he learned the FAST signs of stroke. Just five days later, he saved his dad’s life. Max noticed something was wrong – his father Mike had a headache and was struggling to speak and lift both his arms. Remembering what he’d learned, Max helped the 9-1-1 operator. “I think he’s having a stroke!” declared Max after checking for the signs.
Big breakthroughs. Better health. Because of YOU.
And it was all thanks to the generosity of legacy donors Victoria and Michael Shalapata. The gift left by the Shalapatas would be used by Heart & Stroke to help teach kids the signs of stroke. Max was one of them. Terry Mills, executor of his aunt and uncle’s estate, spoke with awe at the impact of the legacy gift: “The whole family was thrilled that the funds helped save somebody’s life.” Max, now 15, and Mike still reflect – gratefully and emotionally – on the time they’ve shared since that day.
I never learned FAST “ Ifsigns of stroke, we wouldn’t be here today.
Stories like this are possible because legacy donors—people like the Shalapatas—choose to make an impact for generations to come. You can too!
A lifesaving gift, a legacy of hope
Contact numbers are:
Your legacy gift will make an impact for generations to come. Together, we can build a future where everyone enjoys longer, healthier lives uninterrupted by heart disease or stroke.
Susan Deike - BC, AB, SK, MB 1-403-451-3675
Mary Goodfellow - ON 1-800-205-4438
– Max Pozzo
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To learn more about legacy giving, visit: heartandstroke.ca/legacy
Angela Gresseau-Okalow QC, NS, PEI, NL 1-416-386-4517
We’ve partnered with Epilogue to make leaving a legacy gift to Heart & Stroke fast, easy and affordable. You’ll be guided every step of the way and your 20% discount will be applied automatically at checkout. Get started today: heartandstroke.ca/will
• The first heart transplant surgery in Canada, providing hope for deadly heart conditions
3 easy, secure ways to make your special year-end gift today: Donate online at HeartandStroke.ca/impact
Call 1-877-882-2582
When we beat as one, we achieve so much more together. © Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, 2025 | ™ The heart and / Icon on its own and the heart and / Icon followed by another icon or words are trademarks of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
Since 1952, thanks to the dedication of our wonderful donors, partners and volunteers, we have helped cut the death rate of heart disease and stroke by 75%. Your support has enabled transformative change in every community across Canada, including: • The first successful open-heart surgery in Canada, paving the way for a revolution in cardiac care
A gift of securities is one of the most cost-effective ways to support the cause that’s close to your heart. Learn more at: heartandstroke.ca/securities
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The transformative power of research
Why donate to Heart & Stroke? Because YOU are making a real difference!
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More lives saved:
STW1ZDM-EN
• Using clot-busting drugs to treat ischemic stroke – increasing a patient’s chance of minimal or no disability after three months • World leaders in integrating endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) into clinical best practices – a stroke treatment that can reduce death rate by 50%
INSIDE:
What matters most: our key priorities Page 2
• Advancing women’s heart and brain health through more than $25 million invested in women-focused research and public education on health inequities While we’ve made incredible progress, heart disease and stroke remain the number killer globally. In Canada, one person dies every seven minutes from heart disease or stroke. The need to keep the momentum going, moving discoveries into action that supports longer, healthier lives, remains urgent. Your donations will continue to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs from world-class researchers like Dr. Douglas Lee and Dr. Peter Liu, highlighted in this issue. Thank you for standing with us in the fight to beat heart disease and stroke!
The heart-brain connection: bold new research Page 3
The legacy gift that saved a father’s life Page 4