Ambassador comes `Nock'-ing in Heart Month Canvas by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver 11 | Friday, January 24, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Oakville's Ernie Nock is thankful the Heart and Stroke Foundation (HSF) was there for him when he needed a second chance. Now, he is there for it -- as an ambassador. As such, Nock, who jokingly calls himself the bionic man, was at the Queen Elizabeth Park Community Centre last Saturday as the foundation kicked off its upcoming February 2014 Heart Month Canvas. Nock, who developed heart disease more than a decade ago, was hospitalized in 2006 with congestive heart failure. By May 2007, he had a dual-chamber Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) placed in his chest to monitor his heart rate after doctors informed him he was at risk for a major cardiac episode. The Oakville resident said the device has since saved his life four times. The 71-year-old credits the work of HSF volunteers for allowing him to receive his dual-chamber ICD, he explained. "It's the money that's raised through volunteers that allows for the research of medications and units such as pacemakers, dual-chamber ICDs (and) cardioverter defibrillators. It allows me to live a somewhat normal life," said Nock. "If I didn't have that implant or if that technical support was not there, I would not be here." Nock has been involved with the foundation for about 25 years. Part of his volunteer work The Halton Heart and Stroke Foundation kicked off its February 2014 Heart Month canvas at the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre. Here, heart disease survivor and ambassador Ernie Nock with canvas captain volunteers, from left, Zareena Khan, Michael Walker, Ernie Nock, Ayesha Mawaz-Khan and Marilyn Ridley. | photo by Graham Paine Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) involves speaking at public events as a survivor spokesperson. "I'm not afraid to tell people I'm a survivor and what their money has done for me. I think that's why survivors and volunteers are really important in the fundraising aspect of the Heart and Stroke Foundation," said Nock. The implanted device hasn't stopped Nock from living an active lifestyle -- and has, in fact, helped him do so. "I'm not allowed to lift heavy weights, but other than that I play golf, I ride my horse and I work out three to four times a week," said Nock. "I'm not naïve enough to (think) that it's (just) through the medications I take and my implant that I'm allowed to do (those) things." Nock will be participating in the upcoming canvas campaign. The foundation has more than 54,000 volunteers Canada-wide, according to HSF Haltonarea manager Kate White. "We could not do what we do without the time and dedication of the volunteers that we have. Many volunteers are open to donating their time in a number of different capacities," said White, noting heart disease and stroke affects one out of three Canadians and is the No.1 killer of women. "It's very rare that we come across someone who isn't connected to heart (disease) and stroke or has some kind of a story to share with us. Some of the volunteers have family members that are survivors or have family members they've lost," said White. "Through sharing those stories and becoming involved, they're giving back and helping fight for that research to hopefully change things for the future." By 2020, the organization's goal is to significantly improve the health of Canadians by decreasing their risk factors for heart disease and stroke by 10 per cent. "It's a really substantial goal, but it's one we know we can achieve," said White. "Our fundraising goals increase every year because the need is greater and we want to be able to put more money into our research programs. "Our mission is really about preventing disease, saving lives and promoting recovery. Together we can make it happen and (that) is vital to our success." Chalk Paint has arrived in Burlington We not only custom paint furniture, we also have a selection for sale. Have a piece of furniture you want to re-finish? using our Canadian van Gogh chalk paint. No sanding, stripping, or priming required. Just paint! 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