John Curran’s life changed in February 2017.

He was attending a safety conference when a burning sensation spread across his shoulder. Initially, he thought it was muscle strain from an intense workout a few days earlier. After all, he had always been active, running marathons, leading running clinics and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

So when a coworker suggested driving him to the hospital, John brushed it off.

“I’ll drive myself,” he said, confident it was nothing serious.

A few hours later, after undergoing tests, John learned the truth: he had experienced a heart attack.

The news was difficult to process. He felt healthy and had always taken pride in his physical fitness. He had completed six marathons and 30 half-marathons, an achievement that, in hindsight, likely helped save his life.

When doctors told him his left coronary artery was 95 per cent blocked, John was stunned.

His heart attack was severe, involving what is often called the “Widow Maker” artery. Two weeks later, he underwent a procedure to insert two stents.

For someone who had spent a lifetime training his body, the diagnosis felt surreal.

As he recovered, John was forced to slow down. His active lifestyle came to a sudden halt, and he found himself confronting his own mortality.

Physically and emotionally, the road to recovery was challenging.

“You replay everything,” John reflects. “You wonder what could have been done differently.”

Even today, it is something he continues to work through.

Through it all, John found strength in the support of his family. Their encouragement helped him navigate the uncertainty and adjust to a new reality.

Today, John continues to live well, carrying with him a deeper appreciation for life and what matters most: family, health and resilience.

John also speaks passionately about the importance of supporting local cardiac programs.

“It can happen to anyone,” he says. “Even when you feel fit and invincible, heart disease can strike.”

He believes strongly in supporting the cardiac services that helped him recover and the health care professionals who provide life-saving care every day.

That is why John is proud to support Row4Heart. Funds raised through the event help advance the Provincial Cardiovascular and Stroke Program and support the specialized care, equipment and services that patients rely on throughout their cardiac journey.

“You could be the one needing help one day,” John says. “A family member, a loved one or a neighbour. Anyone can be affected. Please support Row4Heart. The funds raised will help people get back on their feet and live their best lives.”

For John, the journey from heart attack to recovery has been life changing.

By sharing his story, he hopes to encourage others to support the Health Care Foundation, prioritize their heart health and cherish every moment.

Your gift gives recovery.