February is Heart Month, a time when thousands of volunteers bundle up to go out in their communities to collect donations to support the vital work of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Person-to-person campaign dates for the 2007 campaign are Saturday, Feb. 3, to Sunday, Feb. 11, and the goal for this year's campaign is $435,000 provincially.

There will be a kick-off party hosted by the Heart and Stroke Foundation on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be free hot chocolate given out to residents at the City Centre Mall.

Heart disease and stroke will touch the lives of many Saskatchewan people, in fact four out of every ten people will suffer heart disease or stroke during their lifetime.

Just a few short years ago, the chances of surviving were much lower, but because of the support of volunteers and donors, heart and stroke research has made great strides. Heart and Stroke Foundation-funded researchers, many here in Saskatchewan, have developed groundbreaking new and better ways to prevent and treat this devastating disease.

Residents can be sure that a canvasser at their door represents the Heart and Stroke Foundation by their official canvasser information kit with the Foundation's logo. Upon making a donation, both the logo and charitable registration number should be printed on the receipt.

If a resident is not home when a canvasser makes their call, they will find a brochure containing information on heart disease and stroke and an attached donation envelope in their mailbox. Residents can also donate online at www.heartandstroke.ca, or by calling the Heart and Stroke Foundation.