Petro family’s last lap at Malden Park
Jeri Marques was sad to be doing her last lap at the Heartbreaker Challenge, “If it kept going I would keep coming.”
She has been a big fan of the event since its inception in 2013.
“This is the best event that I've ever done. I love it so much. Sad it's done but I'm happy I was able to be a part of it all eight years.” Marques said.
The Heartbreaker Challenge was started by the Petro family to help raise awareness and funds for the Cardiac, Stroke, and Pulmonary Rehab programs at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare.
“This has been a long journey and a great journey,” said Jason Petro.
The journey started 20 years ago with a 5k walk and moved into fashion shows, golf tournaments, car shows, and the Heartbreaker Challenge.
“We've done it all. It's time to wrap things up,” said Jason.
The Petro family has raised over $900,000 through their eight events and will leave a legacy behind.
“We were actually able to meet our goal of creating a multi-disciplinary cardiac, stroke, and pulmonary rehabilitation facility at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare,” Heidi Petro said.
Over 10,000 people have helped, including the participants who enjoyed the grit of the event, which featured 25 obstacles.
“It’s been a great time getting teams together for a good cause,” said 5-time Heartbreaker Kelly Dobranski. “Because we work at Hôtel-Dieu it’s nice to support as well.”
Deanna Piazza has enjoyed the challenge of the Heartbreaker, “It’s fun. You’re out with your friends all day and you’re helping your community at the same time and you get to get dirty in the process so that’s a lot of fun as well.”
The event now becomes a memory but the work continues at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare as the Foundation now shifts focus.
“Right now, the hospital has identified a need to expand and relocate our outpatient rehab facility so that is something the foundation is looking to support,” said Barb Sebben, executive director of the foundation. “We’ve already done some work to kinda move that space out, open it up and that’s gonna be what you’re going to hear from us in the next little bit.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Rainfall warnings of up to 80 mm among weather alerts in effect for 6 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres and other alerts have been issued for six Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.