Erie Shores Health Foundation (ESHF) is introducing the Heart-to-Heart campaign for Heart Month.

The campaign, which officially launched on Friday, February 7th, 2025, encourages people in the community to purchase a heart with a personalized message as a gift or in memory of a loved one. Each heart will be displayed on ESHF’s virtual or physical heart wall.

All donations toward the Heart-to-Heart campaign will go directly toward funding new cardiac monitors for Erie Shores HealthCare (ESHC). 

The new advanced heart monitors would benefit both the clinical team and patients at the Hospital.

The advanced capabilities of the monitors include mobile monitoring and integrated patient information enabling quick intervention in emergency situations and continued monitoring during scans such as an MRI test. 

Karl Broll, a grateful patient and community healthcare advocate, has dealt with heart ailments for over 30-years. He says he has seen the evolution of heart monitors first-hand. “In my experience, these monitors have provided my network of physicians and nurses with the essential information they need to determine the next steps in my care.”

“Advanced equipment, like these new heart monitors we’re hoping to purchase, would enhance the quality care we provide to our community every day,” said Kristin Kennedy, President and CEO of ESHC. “Monitoring the heart health of our patients helps guide their care and initiate timely reactions if their conditions change quickly.”

Erie Shores Health Foundation is encouraging everyone to get a heart to help a heart this month.

“This campaign is a special way for our community to join together while continuing to advance care at our hospital,” shared Penny Bellhouse, Executive Director of ESHF. “Show your love and compassion this month with a donation to our Heart-to-Heart campaign – even if the heart is for yourself!”

Hearts are by donation with no minimum. Virtual hearts can be purchased online at https://visufund.com/heart-to-heart, and physical hearts for the heart-to-heart wall displayed in the Leamington Medical Village building can be purchased in-person at the Erie Shores Health Foundation office, or by mail.

“I encourage everyone to purchase a heart this month; your donation could save a life,” added Broll.