Michael Fisk Memorial Arrhythmia Run

When I was very young, my mom’s brother passed away from an unknown heart condition in his early thirties on a Valentine’s Day evening.

Every February 14, my mom will buy a bouquet of flowers for James, call her mother and our family will spend a few moments talking about this man that I will never remember. Growing up, hearing a death at thirty something seemed to me like he had lived a nice full life, but now that my age is steadily creeping upward (let me have this moment of lament – I have a birthday next week), dying in your early thirties has registered as the tragedy that it was. I see the affect that it has had on his family and how Valentines Day will always be bittersweet.

So heart conditions are heredity in my family. I run to keep mine healthy and strong, but genetics are genetics. So when I found out that my friends were orchestrating the Michael Fisk Memorial Arrhythmia Run, I was completely on board.

A bit of background: 

Michael Fisk was raised in Roseville, Ontario. He graduated from Southwood Secondary School, was a trained Physiotherapist and a qualified Biology Teacher. He was a ski instructor for over 20 years at Chicopee Ski Resort and was also a Field Manager at Flag Raiders Paintball. Mike was happily married to his high school sweetheart with 2 young, adorable sons. Mike has touched many lives in the Waterloo Region and he is sadly missed by everyone who knew him.

A fatal, sudden arrhythmia took Mike. He had no pre-diagnosed heart conditions, and no indication that anything was of concern. He was healthy, active and living his life to the fullest. He was 35. It was a total shock to everyone.

Sound familiar?

Proceeds of the run go toThe Canadian SADS Foundation, a registered Canadian charity, that is dedicated to supporting families affected by inherited cardiac rhythm disorders. SADS refers to a variety of cardiac disorders which are often genetic and can be responsible for sudden death in young, seemingly healthy people.

Join me on the trails on August 25 for a 5 KM run to raise awareness for healthy hearts and to remember Michael. It will be a beautiful run at the Chicopee Ski Resort with a BBQ and a day pass to the resort with access to beach volleyball, disc golf,hiking and biking trails and tennis.