Bev Whale raises money for Heart & Stroke
February brings us many things; ice, snow and the sugar-coated hearts of Valentine’s Day. More importantly however is recognizing that February is Heart and Stroke month, where hundreds of dedicated volunteers take to the slushy streets to fundraise for this worthy cause.
Meet Bev Whale, eighty years young and brimming with a vigor people half his age would be envious of. A Scugog resident since 1993, he has been an assertive volunteer with the Heart and Stroke Foundation for fifteen years, raising amazing amounts of money through door to door canvassing.
“I’m vicious, and I don’t give up. I go to every door. If you say no to me this year, I’ll be back next year. I’m well known in my community, now the neighbours come to my door with a cheque around this time every year because they know I’m coming... guess I’m a little pushy!” He exclaimed with a youthful chuckle.
Bev has dedicated much of his life to serving others through volunteerism, and has raised his four children to do the same. He shared with me a prophetic quote from Muhammad Ali “Service to others is the rent you pay for your space here on earth”.
Bev wants to ensure the community recognizes one thing. “Be kind to volunteers; they’re not getting paid for the hours they give. Please give from the heart, and you never know, tomorrow it might be you that benefit from the money we raise”.
Having always been healthy and active, it came as a surprise to Bev and his family when, in November 2008 he began experiencing some unexplained shortness of breath. Always mindful of his health, he saw his doctor and did what he was told. As his symptoms progressed, it became obvious something more serious was occurring. “The doctors did some tests, an angiogram and found that I had aortic stenosis and needed a triple by-pass” Bev stated in a matter of fact tone.
Symptoms of aortic stenosis can include shortness of breath, chest pain and decreased energy. “So, that’s just what we did. I was told I had a ten percent chance of dying during the surgery, but I just focused on the ninety percent chance I was going to make it!”
When patients are diagnosed with a cardiovascular disease or experience a cardiac event, it can be quite a shock. The necessary lifestyle changes one must undertake to get healthy are challenging and can sometimes lead to depression.
He never asked “why me” and his mood always remained upbeat and positive. “Why not me?” was his belief and he remained strong and focused throughout his ordeal.
His bypass took place in June 2009 and during surgery, Bev received a new aortic valve. “I got a bovine valve, so I don’t need daily medication and I feel just terrific!” states Bev emphatically.
Bev can’t say enough about the exemplary care he received from local doctors and our hospital. “Absolutely everyone was wonderful; kind, dedicated and selfless. Everything was always explained to me; the staff was patient and I felt confident in the care I received.”
He was discharged from hospital within 5 days and continued to convalesce at home, with support from his children and home care. Bev enjoys golfing and curling and currently walks one and a half miles per day, five days a week through his cardiac rehabilitation program.
If you require a valve replacement, you have two options. Going with a mechanical valve might be considered a more long-term solution but they come with a loud ‘clicking’ noise and the increased risk of forming blood clots and thus require daily doses of blood thinning medication. If you choose to go with an animal valve (from a cow or pig) the blood thinners are not required but it is expected that further surgery will be required within fifteen years as valve problems develop.
“The lucky ones get the warning; I listened” stated Bev. It is critical that even the most benign symptoms be paid attention to; they could be your warning. Every 7 minutes, someone in Canada dies from a heart attack or stroke. Approximately thirty percent of all deaths are due to a cardiovascular event; killing more Canadians than any other disease.
Don’t take your health for granted, pay attention to what your body is saying to you. Get active, eat well and maintain a healthy body weight. Don’t smoke and limit alcohol consumption. All this goes a long way to ensure your heart stays healthy. Every day is a gift...Happy Heart Month and Happy Valentine’s Day!
Visit www.heartandstroke.on.ca to:
-learn the signs and symptoms of heart disease and stroke
-obtain useful tips on living a heart-healthy lifestyle
-to donate to their “heart month” campaign
-to volunteer and learn more about research made possible by your donations
Tammy Horvath
Focus on Scugog
Personalities
