King George students have heart

Students of King George Public School raised over $3,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart program.

Alexis and Valerie Thompson 9-year-old identical twins, it is hard to tell them apart, however one major difference sets them apart in everything they do as Valerie has a hole in her heart.

At two weeks old, doctors discovered the defect and with medication she has avoided open-heart surgery but it is still on the horizon most likely taking place in her early teen years.

Knowing all to well the integral role the Heart and Stroke Foundation plays in Canadian families’ lives, the twins made a commitment to raise funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart program and make a difference for families like theirs.

This year the twins came up with creative ways to raise funds and awareness for heart related illnesses including walking up and down the Waterfront collecting spare change from anyone who could spare it.

The twins weren’t alone in the quest for funds this year as 214 fellow students at King George Public School joined them Friday for the Jump Rope for Heart campaign, pushing funds raised over the $3,000 mark.

Grade 4 Centennial Public School student Gabrielle Willie, who single handedly raised $1,000, also joined the girls for the event Friday.

Willie’s commitment to do something comes from her family history of heart problems, as her grandfather passed away after a series of heart attacks at the age of 39.

Heart and Stroke area co-ordinator, Jake Irwin, says that it is important to educate kids about healthy living in order to make a real change keep them from developing heart conditions and strokes later in life.

This year Irwin says participation is down with only 18 schools participating, however, the participating schools raised more money than last year.

All funds raised go to research.