Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

As many of you who know me are aware, I lost the love of my life, husband, soul-mate and partner; my dearest, my darling Gary Heim; on the 20th January 2013 to Vascular Disease. 

Vascular disease is the collective term for diseases of the veins and arteries.

Every part of the body to which blood flows can be affected by it.

It’s as common as cancer and heart disease and accounts for 40% of deaths in the UK, many of which are preventable.
People with diabetes are five times more likely to develop vascular disease.

In the 18-months in the run-up to Gary’s sudden and unexpected death, we knew that Gary had “Furring of the Arteries”, but we didn’t know or understand the cause and full implications of the disease. We certainly had no idea that it was a potentially life threatening condition nor that Gary was at risk of experiencing a “sudden death” event.

Lots of things went wrong in Gary’s healthcare over the past few years and prior to his death –  While I can’t take back or apply the knowledge that I have now, to what has happened in the past, I can honour Gary’s memory by playing my part to ensure that no other family has to experience the pain and trauma of the sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one from Vascular Disease.

My mission here at JustGiving and in my local community is to support the work of the Circulation Foundation: by raising funds to support their work.

The long-term aim of the Circulation Foundation is to eradicate vascular disease. In this areas they are doing a lot of research and working on developing new treatments. In the short term, the Foundation provides information, education and support to those who have vascular disease and their families.

 You can give to the Circulation Foundation all year round, here through Gary’s Memorial Fund or you can sponsor me to do something...

I have tonnes of ideas ... so thinking ahead ... starting with ... Vascular Disease Awareness Week: March 2014 – you’ll be able to sponsor me to wear “colourful clothing” instead of my perennial black attire... and follow my online diary of the week and the pop-up events which I am sure will pop-up.

The Circulation Foundation was established in 1992 by vascular surgeons committed to saving lives and limbs, the Circulation Foundation exists to fund research that in the short term, advances treatment of circulatory disorders and in the long term, prevents vascular disease altogether. 

The Circulation Foundation relies on donations which fund vital research. They are only charity dedicated to vascular health and because they’re so focused and efficient, every penny donated has a positive impact.

 

So if you knew Gary, and would like to follow in his footsteps by making a positive difference in the lives of others, then please donate... or sponsor me to wear colourful clothing for 1-week in March during Vascular Disease Awareness Week 2014.

 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

 

So please dig deep and donate now.