Staff at Regina’s hospitals have big hearts – especially the nurses who work in the Regina General Hospital’s Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) at the Mosaic Heart Centre. They’ve been hosting a Cardiac Care 5K Walk/Run since 2001 to promote heart health, raise funds for equipment in their unit and to support continuing education of nurses.

Barbra Thiry, a CCU nurse and current run coordinator, says the enthusiasm of the CCU nurses inspired her to get involved with the run when she started in the unit in January 2016.

“In my experience, everyone wants to be good at what they do and give the best care they can,” Barbra says. “Having the extra support from the run so we can do the best job we can for our patients has been really helpful for the unit. It keeps our staff current and interested in what they’re doing.”

While the event raises much-needed funds, it’s also a chance to catch up with former patients and their families who return to the event year after year.

“It’s honestly humbling,” admits Dyneena Ruehs, Manager, Cardiac Care Unit. “It makes me feel we must have done something right for that person to be so willing to come and give back every year.”

This year’s run raised $29,600, bringing the total since 2001 to $445,838.

“One in five visits to Regina’s emergency room is cardiac-related, so it is imperative we have a well-equipped cardiac centre staffed with skilled nurses,” says Lisa Green, vice-president, development, Hospitals of Regina Foundation. “The Foundation is proud to partner with this remarkable and committed group of nurses, who invest time and money every year in making lives better for cardiac patients across southern Saskatchewan.”