The Heart and Stroke Foundation kicked off their local Heart Month fundraising activities on Saturday with a rally at the Estevan Shoppers Mall.

Local musicians provided entertainment, and dignitaries offered encouragement for the campaign.

Estevan MLA Doreen Eagles was among the speakers. Her granddaughter, Brooke Duckarmie, passed away suddenly due to a heart condition last September. There weren't any warning signs that Duckarmie had a health problem, Eagles said.

"Losing her is something is something that I struggle with every day, and I can't even imagine what other people are going through," said Eagles.

Local campaign coordinator Lyn Vilcu said that everybody knows someone whose life has been impacted by heart disease or stroke. And heart problems can strike at any age.

"Every seven to 10 minutes in Canada, someone is disabled or dies due to heart or stroke," said Vilcu. "So the more we do to prevent it … the better off we'll all be."

Among the fundraising methods for Heart Month will be door-to-door canvassing. Canvassers were able to pick up their kits during the Heart Rally.