Champion Wrestler Bret Hart to help Canadians 'Survive and Thrive" after
stroke.
May 28th, 2007 -
Canada-Wide - March of Dimes Canada (MODC) is thrilled to welcome
legendary Canadian wrestler Bret Hart as the new spokesperson of its Stroke
Recovery Canada program.
Known to many Canadians as Bret "The Hitman" Hart, the champion wrestler was
born in Calgary, Alberta into a wrestling dynasty led by his father, Stu Hart.
His seven brothers were either wrestlers or involved backstage with the
wrestling business; his four sisters all married professional wrestlers. Hart
won numerous championships in his over 20-year wrestling career but his
greatest victory has been his triumph over a devastating stroke in 2002. The
stroke caused partial paralysis requiring months of physical therapy, but Hart
made a successful recovery. He has since starred in a touring production of
Aladdin, and has continued his support of athletics in Calgary. "We couldn't be
more excited to have Bret Hart on board as our spokesperson," says Kimberley
Dowds, Associate Director of National Programs for March of Dimes Canada. "Mr.
Hart exemplifies what it means to survive and thrive after a stroke, and is a
true inspiration to all stroke survivors."
There are over 300,000 stroke survivors in Canada, and every year another
50,000 join their ranks.
"I jumped at the chance to be a part of Stroke Recovery Canada," says Hart. "I
want to help March of Dimes Canada in its efforts to support stroke recovery
and improve the quality of life of all Canadian stroke survivors." Mr. Hart
will be helping Stroke Recovery Canada in its mission to educate Canadian
stroke survivors how to "Survive and Thrive" after a stroke. He will also help
out at March of Dimes Canada events when his schedule allows. Stroke Recovery
CanadaT, a program of March of Dimes Canada, is a national service offering
post-recovery support, education and programs for stroke survivors, their
families and health care providers. Through its work with local peer support
groups across the country, Stroke Recovery CanadaT provides Canadians with the
resources needed to help Canadians survive and thrive after stroke. With May
designated as Stroke Recovery Awareness Month, Stroke Recovery Canada has
increased its efforts to educate the public about stroke recovery.
For information or to join Stroke Recovery Canada call 1-888-540-6666 or visit
the Stroke Recovery Canada web site at www.strokerecoverycanada.com.
March of Dimes Canada is a nationally
registered charitable organization providing support services to people with
disabilities, their families and caregivers across Canada.
For more information please contact:
Ruth Kapelus
Public Relations Co-ordinator
March of Dimes Canada
10 Overlea Blvd.
Toronto, ON M4H 1A4
Phone: 416-425-3463 ext. 7254
Toll Free: 1-800-263-3463 ext. 7254
Fax: 416-425-1920
rkapelus@dimes.on.ca
www.marchofdimes.ca
