Get your brooms ready for the upcoming Heart and Stroke Curlathon.

The one-day only event is set for Feb. 25, and has room for 24 teams this year. Verna Oderkirk-Bungay, co-ordinator for the Curlathon said it's a great opportunity to have some fun while collecting funds for a great cause.

"Heart and stroke is the number one killer of women," said Oderkirk-Bungay. "It's becoming more and more prevalent."

February is Heart Month in Canada, and Oderkirk-Bungay said the Curlathon will end a month of education that will be delivered through the annual Person to Person campaign. Through that initiative, volunteers travel door-to-door delivering information on heart and stroke.

The Curlathon has been running for eight years out of the Cranbrook Curling Club. This year's theme is James Bond Casino Royal, and costumes are heavily encouraged - in fact there will be prizes for the best-dressed team. Each year the Curlathon raises about $15,000 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC and Yukon. Oderkirk-Bungay said their goal this year is the same.

Teams can be made up of your Kevin Martin wannabes, or can be a collection of mis-matched non-curlers. Each team will play three four-end games during the day starting at 9 a.m.

"You definitely don't have to be a curler," said Oderkirk-Bungay.

The action is usually finished up around 5 p.m., making way for a dinner at 6 p.m. and dance at 8 p.m. Those not interested in curling are free to stop by and watch throughout the day, or tickets for the dinner and dance can be purchased for $25. A silent auction will be held and prizes will be given out throughout the day. Tickets will be on sale at a location in town closer to the event, but for now they can be reserved through Oderkirk-Bungay.

This year the new food chair, Laurie Lind, is planning a heart healthy meal for guests. Each team can sign up before the early bird deadline on Feb. 1 for just $120 per team. After the deadline the price will go up to $160 per team.

Volunteers are needed to make sure the event goes off without a hitch. A variety of opportunities are still available.

Oderkirk-Bungay said they are trying to organize a babysitting service started at 8:30 a.m. at the rink, so that parents can bring their kids and enjoy the curling. Special hotel rates are also being set up for anyone planning to come from out of town.

The money collected at the Curlathon goes to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC and Yukon. It is used to pay for education and research. Oderkirk-Bungay said that one major success developed through the foundation's research is Automatic Electric Defibrillators. Several of the life saving devices can be seen around Cranbrook, since the city purchased them. One can even be found at the curling rink.

Teams can register for the Curlathon online, and this year only 24 spaces are available. To register, volunteer or pick up tickets for the dinner and dance, contact Oderkirk-Bungay at (250) 919-0401. Oderkirk-Bungay is looking to step down from co-ordinating the Curlathon after this year, and is looking for a new candidate to step up. Contact her for more information.

Information on the Heart and Stroke Foundation and how to register can be found online at www.heartandstroke.bc.ca. The website contains tips on how to prevent heart and stroke, as well as heart-healthy recipes. Curlathon registration and fundraising can be done under the Fit for Heart link, or through registration chair Jon Bisset at (250) 420-2745 or email at jbisset@shaw.ca.