Swimming Hero
Pat Gallant-Charette founded the global swim event, "Valentine's Day...Swim for your Heart" to bring an awareness of heart disease and prevention. Several years ago, Pat's brother Robbie died suddenly and unexpectedly of a heart attack at the age of 34. He was survived by his young wife, 3 year old son, and a large family who adored him. He was a record breaking swimmer during his collegiate days at Northeastern University in Boston. He participated in numerous triathlons and ran the Boston Marathon. And, he was unaware that he had heart disease.
Soon after his death, Pat at the age of 47 started training for her very first open water swim event called Peaks to Portland, a 2.4 mile ocean swim in Portland, Maine, in memory of her brother Robbie who won it twice. She discovered for herself the beauty of open water swimming on her very first Peaks to Portland swim.
As she traveled the world swimming in iconic locations such as the English Channel in England, the Strait of Gibraltar in Spain, Catalina Channel in California, and Tsugaru Strait in Japan, she encouraged swimmers to participate in the global swim event on February 14. And, now at the age of 62, she continues to promote heart disease awareness and prevention in the swim community.
As a full time nurse, she knows that screening and early detection is very important. She has asked the medical community on the local level to provide free blood pressures, cholesterol test and heart healthy information to all swimmers at pool side or at open water venues in the warmer climates. Also, she has met with business leaders to encourage them to promote heart disease awareness and prevention in the workplace by encouraging their employees to take part in an exercise program such as swimming and to get screened by their medical professional. You are invited to join Pat in this global effort.
Thank you.
Soon after his death, Pat at the age of 47 started training for her very first open water swim event called Peaks to Portland, a 2.4 mile ocean swim in Portland, Maine, in memory of her brother Robbie who won it twice. She discovered for herself the beauty of open water swimming on her very first Peaks to Portland swim.
As she traveled the world swimming in iconic locations such as the English Channel in England, the Strait of Gibraltar in Spain, Catalina Channel in California, and Tsugaru Strait in Japan, she encouraged swimmers to participate in the global swim event on February 14. And, now at the age of 62, she continues to promote heart disease awareness and prevention in the swim community.
As a full time nurse, she knows that screening and early detection is very important. She has asked the medical community on the local level to provide free blood pressures, cholesterol test and heart healthy information to all swimmers at pool side or at open water venues in the warmer climates. Also, she has met with business leaders to encourage them to promote heart disease awareness and prevention in the workplace by encouraging their employees to take part in an exercise program such as swimming and to get screened by their medical professional. You are invited to join Pat in this global effort.
Thank you.