Two years ago our father, Antonio, passed after surviving and thriving after a stroke in 2017.   This year we wish to honour him, our mother, numerous other family members,  friends and colleagues who have experienced the challenges arising from heart disease and stroke.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation is very near and dear to the hearts of the CIBC team members. The team has supported the foundation for many years through Ride for Heart having raised over $265,000 in that time. They’ve had the dedication and support of Marina Stojic for much of that time. She passionately dedicates her fundraising campaign to the memory of her late father, who passed away from a bilateral stroke. 

Without Marina’s commitment and the support of their generous donors, the CIBC Ride for Heart team would not have won a Bronze Wheel Award the last two years in a row!

I've had 8 heart surgeries, four of which were open heart. My first operation was at just 18 months old, and my most recent one in 2018. I proudly support Heart and Stroke, and am grateful for the donations and investments made for research and care–care that has literally helped save my life.

Diamond Schmitt Architects are excited to be back for their 13th year as a Corporate Team. Like many involved in supporting the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the members of the Diamond Schmitt Architects team have been personally impacted by heart disease and stroke. This has motivated them to participate in Ride for Heart raising over $300,000 over the last 12 years. Sadly, this year they lost their colleague and dear friend, Alexa Carroll, who passed away unexpectedly earlier this year. Along with honouring their individual friends and family members, the team will ride, walk, or run in Alexa’s memory. 

We are thrilled to be participating in Ride for Heart again this year. Our youngest child was born with congenital heart disease in 2019 and has had several procedures and surgeries. Today, he is thriving! This couldn't have been possible without heart and stroke research. 

Fundraising for the Heart and Stroke Foundation helps our family celebrate the impact of heart research in our lives. It also fosters conversations about heart health at home and in our community. We are thankful to our family and friends for joining our Heart Wheels team and for their generous contributions. Since 2020, our team has raised around $7000 by jumping, hiking, and riding for heart.