|
Laporte County
Association Of Realtors (LPCAR) Welcomes 2
Big Hearts Foundation And Laporte
Hospital.
February 14,
2006 ---- The LPCAR held its general
membership at Portofino's on Tuesday,
February 14. Sixty five members and
affiliates were on hand to learn about the
mission of the 2Big Hearts Foundation and
its teaming with LaPorte Hospital to give
back to the community. In an effort to
promote the benefits of LaPorte County, LPCAR's
President Elect Laurie Farrell, introduced
Jim Clarke, President of 2Big Hearts
established in Long Beach shortly after the
deaths of his wife Gigi (44) and her sister
Sally Czechanski (49) in June of 2004.
"Both my beloved wife and sister-in-law
passed away within 90 minutes of each other
due to cardiomyopathy, an enlargement of the
heart, a silent killer that neither knew
about. A few simple tests would have
brought this condition to their attention
and they would have sought the proper
treatment. It is my personal mission as
well as the mission of 2Big Hearts to
prevent this tragic event from happening to
others,"commented Mr. Clarke.
Teamed with LaPorte Hospital and the
Hospital's Foundation , all proceeds from a
number of 2Big Hearts' events provide the
screenings. Both organizations have played
significant roles in the fundraising efforts
providing volunteers, marketing
support as well as the medical teams that
assist in the screenings. "We could not
have asked for a better partner to help
spread awareness about heart disease than
2Big Hearts," indicated Ms. Fruth,"
Executive Vice President of the LaPorte
Hospital Foundation, "and we hope to
continue to play a big role in their
efforts." Also on hand from LaPorte
Hospital was Marcia Vermilye, RN, Director
of Cardiac Care. Ms. Vermilye's staff
orchestrates the actual screenings which
have been conducted on 300 women within the
county.
Since September of 2004, 2Big Hearts has
held two annual golf outings and one 5K
race/walk. The next 2Big Hearts 5K
Race/Walk is slated for Saturday, May 27,
2006 in Long Beach. For more information
visit
www.2bighearts.org.
PICTURED
LEFT TO RIGHT AT THE LPCAR MEETING:
REALTOR
Karen Finlay Knudsen of Century 21 1st Team
along
with Jim Clarke, Maria Fruth and Marcia
Vermilye.
- END -
|
