Peel - The cheers of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Peel’s proud staff and volunteers accompanied by delicious refreshments summed up the celebratory atmosphere for the $300,000-lottery winner, Margaret Hammond, this past Monday.

Ms. Hammond came in with her husband yesterday afternoon overjoyed to receive the cheque, “I didn’t sleep for two nights,” she exclaimed mentioning the wonderment of excitement for people that win larger amounts.

Ms. Hammond has been buying lottery tickets for the Heart and Stroke Foundation for many years now and was excited and shocked about her win. Mr. Hammond thought it was a joke, “I didn’t believe it until they mentioned the cheque,” he recalled about the phone call announcing his wife’s win.

When asked about how they will celebrate their win, Mr. Hammond excitedly mentioned they would be going out for dinner. They are also looking forward to visiting their family and friends overseas.

“Peel region always seems to be successful with lottery wins,” said Nancy Mrazek, the Senior Area Manager of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Peel, who has witnessed many wins since she has been working at the office.

The Heart & Stroke Lottery is an exciting bi-annual mega-lottery, which has garnered millions of dollars towards research and health education since its inception in 1997.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario currently funds more than 450 researchers and research teams at medical institutes, universities and hospitals across Ontario. Their goal: to eliminate heart disease and stroke and improve the quality of life for thousands of Canadians affected by these conditions.

Nearly 40% of Canadians will develop some form of heart disease or stroke over their lifetime. With our aging population, it’s critical to understand the underlying causes of these diseases. Today the Heart and Stroke Foundation is Canada’s single largest funder of heart and stroke research. With hundreds of hospitals and university-based research teams depending on us year after year.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation, a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke and reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living, and advocacy.

For more information about the Heart and Stroke Foundation, please contact Nancy Mrazek or Erum Zuberi of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Peel at (905) 451-0021.