Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont. | Mon. June 1
There’s a new twist on Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) Foundation’s RedDAY community fundraiser, presented by Manulife – with more ways to double your impact on preventative cardiac care.
- RedDAY is moving from its regular Friday slot to this Saturday, June 6
- This year’s event will include a 1- or 3-km fundraising walk – the Manulife RedDAY Walk – through the heart of Kitchener-Waterloo
- The walk replaces WRHN Foundation’s Hike for Health event in the fall
Community members and businesses can register for the Manulife RedDAY Walk and start a fundraising team or donate at RedDAY.ca. Manulife matches all RedDAY donations dollar for dollar, up to $200,000, so every gift – and every step – goes twice as far.
RedDAY has been a staple community fundraiser for years, spotlighting heart health and championing preventative care. Funds raised support the PREVENT Clinic at WRHN, a Manulife-powered initiative that focuses on preventative cardiac care for patients at higher risk of heart disease.
“Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in Canada, affecting millions of Canadians and families every year,” says Dr. Heather Warren, Cardiologist and Vice President, Medical and Academic Affairs at Waterloo Regional Health Network. “The encouraging reality, however, is that the majority of cases of premature heart disease can be prevented through earlier awareness, healthier lifestyles, and proactive care. Through WRHN’s PREVENT Clinic, supported by Manulife, we are helping people better understand their risk of heart disease - providing the support, education, and medical care they need to make healthier changes and help prevent heart disease before it strikes.”
The PREVENT Clinic was established in 2024 with significant investment from Manulife. Patients referred to the program get education and resources, help with medication management, and consultations with other specialists, including dieticians and kinesiologists.
RedDAY – and the new Manulife RedDAY Walk – helps fund equipment and other needs within the PREVENT Clinic. Manulife’s donation match allows participants to double their fundraising total – and their impact.
“RedDAY brings our community together around prevention and healthier lives,” says Jessica Weisner, Head of Marketing for Individual Insurance, Manulife Canada. “By supporting the PREVENT Clinic with the Waterloo Regional Health Network, we’re helping more people take action earlier — protecting heart health and supporting longevity across every stage of life.”
This initiative aligns with the Manulife Longevity Institute, a global research, thought leadership, innovation, advocacy, and community investment platform that aims to advance action on helping people live longer, healthier, more financially secure lives.
The June 6 walk will start at Uptown Waterloo and end at Manulife’s office in downtown Kitchener. The route totals 3 kms, with a stop at WRHN @ Midtown (formerly Grand River Hospital) roughly halfway through for participants who prefer a shorter distance.
“We are thrilled to introduce the Manulife RedDAY Walk to Kitchener-Waterloo and can’t wait to see our community embrace this new twist on an annual event,” says Doug Earle, CEO, WRHN Foundation. “RedDAY has always been a community celebration of heart health, and we are honoured by Manulife’s continued support of heart healthy programs at WRHN.”
About PREVENT
PREVENT patients undergo clinical assessments and get evidence-based preventative medical therapies tailored to them. Patients receive customized exercise plans, prescriptions, and guidance as needed. The Clinic has served nearly 300 patients since it opened, with 95 per cent of patients saying the program helped them lead healthier lives. PREVENT is an extension of the suite of cardiac services at WRHN’s Regional Cardiac Care Centre. The clinic operates out of WRHN’s Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation Centre at The Boardwalk, Waterloo.
For more information or to donate, visit redday.ca
Please credit: Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation
WRHN Foundation media contact:
Melissa Couto
Communications Specialist
About Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation
Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) Foundation raises funds to support life-saving care at Waterloo Regional Health Network. WRHN Foundation works in partnership with our community to help elevate the healthcare experience of WRHN patients and staff.
Thanks to generous support from donors, we raise funds for vital equipment, programs and resources at WRHN that are not covered by the Ontario Ministry of Health.
Learn more at wrhnf.ca
About Waterloo Regional Health Network
Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN, pronounced wren) represents the merger of two Hospitals into a single, integrated healthcare organization. Built on over 90 years of partnership, WRHN is home to seven regional programs and comprehensive healthcare services to meet the current and emerging needs in Waterloo-Wellington and beyond.
WRHN is redefining the healthcare experience through collaboration and innovation, addressing barriers to access, advancing care delivery, and setting new standards in compassionate, empowered, community-driven healthcare. At WRHN, we provide outstanding care that’s personal, seamless, and reimagined.
Learn more at wrhn.ca
About Manulife
Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Anchored in our ambition to be the number one choice for customers, we operate as Manulife across Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice, insurance and health solutions for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment solutions, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2025, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 106,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 37 million customers with operations across 25 markets globally. We trade as ‘MFC’ on the Toronto, New York, and Philippine stock exchanges, and under ‘945’ on the Hong Kong stock exchange.
Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.
About Manulife Longevity Institute
The Manulife Longevity Institute is a global research, thought leadership, innovation, advocacy, and community investment platform to drive action that can help people live longer, healthier, and more financially secure lives. Underpinned by a $350 million signature commitment, its focus is on helping people extend their healthy years, promoting greater financial resilience for all. As a global insurer, retirement plan provider, and asset manager, Manulife is uniquely placed to help lead this change. The Institute’s work will support Manulife’s Impact Agenda strategy by investing in organizations that are growing the longevity economy, convening research collaborations with leading academic institutions and think tanks, and producing thought leadership to advance awareness and action on the issues impacting populations as they age. The Institute will be known as the John Hancock Longevity Institute in the United States. The actions of the Institute will be guided by a Steering Committee of members of Manulife’s Executive and Global Leadership Teams and in partnership with a robust ecosystem of partners and experts who champion longevity across Canada, Asia, and the US. Canada, Asia, and the US.
For more information, please visit Manulife.com/Longevity.
