imherewithmag
- Nov 4, 2019
- 5 min read

THE HEARTS OF DIL GALA 2019

Updated: Feb 6, 2020

EMCEED BY ANIA BASAK AND AUSTYN VAN DEN KAMP NOV. 2 ND, 2019.

The DilWalk Foundation is a Canadian Registered charity that is 100% volunteer-run. All Funds raised get spent on various health awareness initiatives, CPR training, publish a magazine, online health promotions, Video PSAs, fund sports in school kids, and support various heart health research projects.

PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT BELOW

DR. ANMOL KAPOOR

DIL Walk is the first initiative of its kind in Canada, that is targeting the South Asian population to take control of their heart health. DO IT for LIFE (DIL) WALK program is a not-for-profit, community-driven venture, through a local Steering Committee of volunteers. This grass roots initiative was the dream and vision of a local cardiologist (Dr. Anmol S. Kapoor) and dietitian (Raman Kapoor). They wanted to help the community by empowering people to take control of their own health.

LOCATION: HYATT CALGARY

Achievements of DIL Walk

1: Touched over 20,000 lives in Alberta and more worldwide. 2: Helped save over 7 million dollars of direct Alberta Health costs. 3: Organised FREE CPR training for over 500 people and participants were given AnyTime Kits for FREE. 4: Established 1 million dollar collaboration and Guru Nanak Dev Ji DIL Research Chair at the University of Calgary. 5: Raised heart health issues about Women and visible minorities in Canada. 6: Promote physical activity in school kids and provided funding to buy sports equipment. 7: Published Canada's FIRST dual language (English and Punjabi) Heart Health magazine.

Since its inception IN 2011, DIL Walk Foundation has touched the lives of over 25000 people through educational activities, and has saved the health care system over $10 million (this number is a rough estimate, based on the number of DIL Walk participant seen by specialists, GP’s, Dentists, and Allied Health professionals, not billed to AHS, over the past 5 years).

DWF is committed to increasing the awareness of chronic disease across the life continuum, in vulnerable populations, such as women, children, ethnic minorities and refugees. With a focus starting on children, where prevention begins, to youth and into adulthood, the Foundation focuses on primary care prevention strategies to help individuals, and secondary prevention to help lower their risk of chronic disease.

The objectives encourage members of the community to take a proactive role towards their health. DIL Walk Foundation believes in creating more opportunities for people to get involved with local initiatives, because when people are included and participate in their community, good things happen, such as feeling confident about their health, feeling better about their future. This further leads to building capacity in the community around them. Funds raised will support vulnerable populations such as children, refugees, women and ethnic minorities, helping people feel a sense of belonging to their local community and creating shared experiences for people from different walks of life.

A WONDERFUL DINNER AND WINE WAS SERVED ALL NIGHT

TANIA AND VISHAL OF SPARQ PRODUCTIONS

PHOTOGRAPHER GERARD S.

To help achieve these goals, the DIL Walk Foundation has collaborated with the University of Calgary to focus its efforts on heart research, by establishing a Heart Research Chair. The Foundation also holds a number of events throughout the year, including the annual DIL Walk. At this, participants get a free heart health screening, and an opportunity to learn how to reduce their risk by meeting with a variety of health professionals, and take home valuable resources. Other events include CPR training, supporting health initiatives in youth, and working in partnership with organizations such as the Heart and Stroke Foundation to educate the public. In March 2015, the Foundation, in partnership with the Mosaic PCN, launched the DIL Walk Magazine – the only dual language health magazine in Canada. DWF has recently increased its focus in the brain heart connection, with an emphasis on healthy homes, healthy minds and healthy communities.

VIVIAN WOODS OD UNIVERSAL TALENT CONNECTIONS FILM SCHOOL

EMCEED BY ANIA BASAK AND AUSTYN VAN DEN KAMP

ANIA BASAK WITH JOHN JOHNSON SALES AND MARKETING OF THE Hyatt Regency Calgary.

@aniabasak shared on her instagram:

ENGINE TO ENGINE Beautiful #dilgala celebrating its 6th Anniversary highlighting 5 year collaboration between @dilwalk & @myucalgary Faculty of Nursing. Thank you to @ramankapoorrd & @anmolmd for giving me a chance to be a part of such a wonderful initiative again this year by emceeing the gala together w/ amazing @austynvandekamp. Special Thank You to @modabellaevening @modabella.yyc for helping me finding perfect red dress for tonight gala, @glam_and_beyond for gorgeous makeup, @jamie_yyc for my beautiful hairstyle, @shopbjewelled for stunning custom jewelry, @uptownnailboutique for always taking care of my nails. Arriving to @hyattcalgary was truly a big surprise, thank you to the hotel team for making me feel so special and all the arrangements and surprises. Thank You to @rosedeluxe_ for beautiful flower arrangements, @finessedesserts.ca for always being so “sweet”, @ruffinowines for my favourite sparkling wine, and @vivierskin for taking care of my skin ( before and after the long, intense week and the gala duties - can’t wait to try the hydrating masque!)

PIERRE-LUC CORMIER PHOTOGRAPHY

Leela Sharon Aheer

Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women • United Conservative MLA for Chestermere-Strathmore

DR. ANMOL & RAMAN KAPOOR ALBERTA-BASED CARDIOLOGIST, DIETITIAN/ PRODUCER/ FOUNDERS OF THE DILK WALK FOUNDATION.

"Pick up a field that you can work in for years. Go for a career that makes you happy and which you can make a difference to humanity. Be kind to one another and be passionate about whatever you do. Sometimes your hobby can become your work. Teamwork and compromise are key for a family to achieve their individual and common goals."

How can you reduce the risk of heart disease?

Heart disease can be prevented and you have the ability to manage it! The first thing to do is learn your risk factors. Once you know these, then focus on controlling them. These include, but not limited to: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, being overweight, inactive lifestyle, stress, and smoking. If you have heart disease, you can take positive steps to help further reduce your risk. Try these heart-healthy steps: Choose lower fat foods more often. Limit deep fried foods such as samosas, pakora, poori and gulab jamun. Enjoy being active. Walking is an easy, an excellent form of activity. Involve the whole family. Monitor and keep track of your blood pressure. Bring your results to your doctors appointments. Aim for a healthy weight. Keep your diabetes under control. Monitor your blood sugars regularly. Limit alcohol use. If possible substitute hard liquor for certain red wines that are shown to help reduce. Reduce stress. Take your medications regularly, as directed. Visit your doctor regularly and follow your doctor’s advice.

CALGARY MAYOR NENSHI

SPARQ PRODUCTIONS AND HAVANA DANCE STUDIO ENTERTAINED THE GUESTS

Mission

The objectives of DIL are to encourage members of the South Asian community to take a proactive role towards their heart health. Goals of this project have been identified as the following:

• Create awareness about the impact of heart disease • Provide resources • Educate community members • Create linkages • Raise funds for research • Build community capacity