Moira Fitzpatrick has a knack for bringing people together for a cause. And luckily for Heart & Stroke, it has long been one of her favourite causes.
Moira has written friends asking them to match her donations, organized some of the biggest Heart & Stroke fundraisers in British Columbia, and helped to bring in funding for an endowed chair of cardiology and research at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver.
A lovely collaboration
Since she joined the Heart & Stroke BC provincial board in 1985, Moira’s dedication was instrumental to the success of many campaigns and events, such as the Heart & Stroke Celebrity Breakfast at the Four Seasons, where she worked at the time. Her connections from her career in hospitality and marketing helped to get celebrities including Wayne Gretzky as event speakers.
“I’ve had a long relationship with Heart & Stroke and it’s one I can look back on and say it was a lovely collaboration,” says Moira. “I admire the professionalism and transparency of the organization; their direction has always been very focused.”
Today, Moira is still raising awareness of women’s risk of heart disease. "My passion has always been for women's heart health and trying to contribute something in that direction."
Leaving a legacy
Moira’s mother had a severe stroke in 1997 and passed away in 2000. That loss made Moira even more conscious of raising support for the cause, and moved her to leave a legacy gift in her Will to Heart & Stroke.
"I haven't specifically given the gift for women's research, but the next time I change my Will, I'll add that in because we need it so badly."
It was important to Moira to leave a gift to the causes that have influenced her life the most. "Heart & Stroke is one for many reasons, but mainly because of my mother."
My passion has always been for women's heart health.
Moira continues her fundraising today through Chix with Stix, a women's golf group she started 25 years ago, many of whom are businesswomen like herself. In the past she has organized a speaker to talk with the group about heart disease and women; she always wants to bring awareness about heart disease being the number one cause of death for women in Canada.
"A lot of those women are like me; they have not had a family, and I thought it would be great to encourage them to start thinking and planning," Moira says. "If I could inspire other women to leave a legacy gift, it would be wonderful."
- Learn more about legacy giving.