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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, October 24, 2014 | 18 Halloween Hike for Heart for all the right reasons by Nathan Howes Oakville Beaver Staff The Heart and Stroke Foundation's (HSF) Halloween Hike for Heart in Oakville Sunday, Oct. 26 is not only for a good cause, but also good health. The themed-fundraiser is at Bronte Creek Provincial Park, and is geared for families with children and pets. HSF's third annual event offers participants a choice of a 2.5-or fivekilometre hike through the park while sporting costumes. "Any opportunity we can get the community involved, to get people active and raise money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation is extremely important. We're not just raising money, we're also hiking through the trails and getting our heart's beating," said Deanna Skwarka, HSF Halton area coordinator. "The two go handin-hand. It's a perfect match for the Heart and Stroke Foundation." Oakville's HSF survivor ambassador and spokesperson Ernie Nock, who jokingly refers himself as a `bionic man,' will be one of the participants. The 72-year-old knows too well the importance of heart health. Nock developed heart disease at age 60, despite being active in competitive badminton and other sports, and was hospitalized with congestive heart failure in 2006. In May 2007, he had a dualchamber Implantable CardioverterDefibrillator (ICD) placed in his chest to monitor his heart rate after being told he could have a major cardiac episode. Nock says the device has saved his life four times. He had a health scare in October 2013 when one of the leads in his ICD fractured -- forcing Nock into emergency surgery at Toronto's Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Ontario Energy Commission de l'énergie Board de l'Ontario Have Your Say ­ Protecting Energy Consumers How well are consumers protected in Ontario's retail energy market? That's the question the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) is looking at with its review of the Energy Consumer Protection Act. The Act deals with energy retailing to low-volume consumers in the province. Just over 300 thousand residential and small business consumers in Ontario currently have contracts with electricity retailers; 362,000 have contracts with natural gas marketers. Please visit www.ECPAreview.ca and fill out the on-line survey to share your views on consumer protection with the OEB. "The biggest concern with the fractured lead was it creates false images going into the computer. They literally shut the device down. But the complication hasn't kept Nock from his active lifestyle. "I still play in a golf league. I'm getting back into badminton. I work out three or four times a week at the gym and ride Melissa's (his daughter) horse. I'm still very active," said Nock. He said "you live under a lot of stress" with heart disease because you have good and bad days. "You never know whether you're going to be here tomorrow. You always hope you will, but there's always that question mark," said Nock. "I've been fortunate because I've been able to deal with the stress and it's been through (the HSF) that I've been able to." He also credits the support of his wife, Vicki, his caregiver for the last 13 years, for being "very instrumental in my longevity." "She ensures I am going to the gym when I should, exercising when I should and not doing things that I shouldn't be doing. She's had to take on more responsibilities around the house because there are certain things I am unable to do because of my heart condition," said Nock. For the HSF spokesperson, the Halloween Hike for Heart means money for research -- and he's living proof of the good that research does. "Some people have said to me, `Boy, you're living proof that people with heart disease can live a somewhat normal life.' It's a matter of showing people where the funds are going." A HSF volunteer for 25 years, Nock was recently given the group's 2014 Survivor Ambassador Award for his service. Through sharing a personal journey with heart disease Oakville's Ernie Nock, a Heart and Stroke Foundation (HSF) spokesperson and ambassador, left, with Deanna Skwarka, HSF Halton area coordinator, is gearing up for the group's Halloween Hike for Heart on Oct. 26 at Bronte Creek Provincial Park. | photo by Nathan Howes ­ special to the Beaver or stroke, the award recognizes Heart and Stroke Foundation survivor ambassadors who engage and inspire individuals and communities to support its mission and efforts to save and extend lives. HSF Halton area manager Kate White nominated Nock because he advocates for the group, helps it invest in life-saving research and is a "firm believer" in partnering with key stakeholders, she said. "He adds value through leadership and excellence. He delivers on all of his commitments to us and contributes high-quality results," said White. "We're very pleased that he's receiving the award. We couldn't do what we do without our volunteers." Nock said the Survivor Ambassador Award is an accolade he will "really cherish because it means so much to me." "It shows the appreciation that the Heart and Stroke Foundation have for the work I do. It was overwhelming when I got the letter," said Nock, who also received an Ontario Volunteer Service Award earlier this year for his work. "When I called Kate (White), I was very emotional. I was almost in tears." Last year's Halloween Hike raised more than $6,500 for the HSF and drew more than 200 people, according to Skwarka. She noted HSF's goal this year is $7,500-$8,000 and is hoping for more than 200 participants again. While physical activity and diet are factors in one's health, Nock said the majority of people's heart problems are generally caused by stress. "All these stress factors really end up being the catalyst of heart disease. The Hike for Heart gets people out, they're relaxed and they're in Mother Nature," said Nock. "It gives people an opportunity to come out in a stress-free environment and enjoy themselves." Participants who raise $200 or more will be eligible for a draw to win an Oakville National Fitness membership. There will also be prizes awarded for best costumes in different categories. MVL LEASING LIMITED 1064 SOUTH SERVICE RD. E, OAKVILLE, ON LEASE ANY YEAR, MAKE, OR MODEL LEASING · SALES FINANCING · SERVICE From concept to completion... www.prov-stateconstruction.ca · 905.257.4211 Together we create beautiful spaces! DETAILING · STORAGE FLEET 905-849-6995 · www.MVL.ca