Page 47 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 150

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #150 July 2025 47

Continued from page 46
information 5 – 8, and community them to guide groups, facilitate themselves. They should be
to home.” When we started, there & appraisal 9 – 10.” meaningful discussions, and committed, interested, and willing
weren’t any support groups like serve as sources of strength and to dedicate time to support others.
this at UOHI. We began programs “Since the pandemic, the program inspiration. Training peer leaders The Women@Heart Program is not
in the East, West, and South, in has expanded across Canada, is a key part of Nadine Elias’ typical peer support; it is structured
ensuring access for all women.
localities such as Cornwall, Russell, work. She says, “Our Peer leaders and purposeful, designed to offer
Stittsville, and Carp. This was the We serve all areas, and even if you are dedicated to supporting and meaningful guidance throughout
don’t have access to services, you
beginning of the community peer lifting other women on their road each participant’s recovery journey.
support program. We started with can always count on the program. to recovery. When leading group The value of this support is both
twelve groups, and today, we run The program is virtual, but in- sessions, they focus on increasing tangible and profound.
person could be considered if there
around twenty-six groups per year, awareness of heart disease and
one series in the fall and another in is local demand in Cornwall.” highlighting the unique ways it The next session will start at the
winter.” “Anyone needing support can affects women. Raising awareness end of August, and the new winter
join the program; you don’t need session will begin again in January
She adds, “Our base of volunteers is crucial, it helps people better 2026. We are currently accepting
has grown, and some ladies who a doctor’s referral or to have gone understand the disease and how it registrations for the Fall groups.
joined us at the beginning are still through UOHI. You can self-refer differs between women and men.”
here. Since its inception in 2015, we if it is a heart issue. Women who Peer leaders play an important For registration : http://
have supported over 1500 people, have experienced heart conditions role in the community. They womenatheart.ca/ https://www.
of whom 1200 graduated. The or interventions, past or present, are have opportunities to present the ottawaheart.ca/sites/default/files/
model is designed to be inclusive, welcome. There is no time limit; program to the public, healthcare documents/women-at-heart-
serving both working and retired even those who still experience providers, and hospitals. To program-summary-2024.pdf For
women. It offers flexibility with difficulties years later can benefit. become a peer leader, candidates more information: 1-866-399-4432
twelve -thirteen groups running Some people think they are good to must first complete the program or email us at womensupport@
at different times throughout the go, but they keep struggling.” ottawaheart.ca.
week. Sessions are two hours long Although most referrals come
and span over ten weeks. Group size from UOHI, as Women@Heart
remains small to foster connection reaches out to them when they
and peer bonding. We have some are discharged, the program is
groups that have been meeting promoted through doctors, nurses,
for seven – eight years, creating health allies, regional hospitals,
lasting friendships, becoming and other health care centers, but
sisters, and reaching out to each word of mouth is important and
other. The programs now include has proven very effective. While
different conditions, such as SCAD waiting for a program to start,
(Spontaneous Coronary Heart participants can have access to
Dissection), Atrial Fibrillation, and interim resources until the group
Heart Failure.” starts. Other programs, such as
bedside support, are available, and
“The format is not a drop-in;
it is a closed group, meaning a one-on-one peer support model is
that participants stay together being piloted.
throughout the series to maintain What makes this program unique
cohesiveness and the integrity of is that it is led by Peer Facilitators—
the program. Every session builds women who have personally
on the previous one. The program is navigated their own heart health
based on three pillars: peer support, journeys. These Leaders complete
information, and emotional support a multi-step process, including
appraisal. It focuses on emotional an application, screening, and
aspects in sessions 1 - 4, practical comprehensive training to prepare