The 31st annual Heart Niagara meeting saw 85 people in attendance last Thursday morning, which Karen Stearne, executive director, said was an absolute success.

Stearne said all the dollars raised through fundraising at Heart Niagara go to deliver programming in the Niagara region.

"Right now we are working on how to reduce child and adolescent obesity."

Heart Niagara's mandate is to build on health-care systems, by participating in multiple levels of cardiovascular health services, says Stearne.

"Our ability to provide quality health services and health promotions that will positively impact the health of Niagara residents."

The Healthy Heart Schools' Program is one of the signature programs at Heart Niagara, says Stearne, noting the focus is drawn to the cholesterol levels, blood pressures and fitness levels of young Niagara students by introducing them to positive life-style choices.

"In this program we see over 4,300 Grade 9 students every year, and then we also see an additional 2,000 students in Grade 7. All those students are given information on how to make positive life-style decisions."

Stearne said to better prepare adolescents to respond in case of emergency, Heart Niagara provides CPR training to moe than 6,000 adolescents on a annual bases.

"We would like to be able to offer the CPR program to 188 elementary schools," she said.

Another program the organization offers is the Healthy Daily Living Program, which is in partnership with the YMCA, and is designed to help people prevent and reduce their future risk of heart disease.

"We are very fortunate to have partnerships and strategic linkages with over 30 organizations in the region."

Stearne adds that in 2008, Heart Niagara will work together with McDonald's Restaurants of Niagara to offer healthy choices and positive messages within their businesses.

"It's a very positive step, because you need to make change from within."