What began as a loving gesture to post hearts on their door to show solidarity and support for her husband, an emergency room doctor in the Boston area, has become a viral movement worldwide.

“I wanted to find a way to let health care workers know that we see them, we are here for them and they are supported and loved,” says Tanya Russell who began the Hearts for Healthcare Workers Facebook group.

Within weeks the group has grown to over 50,000 members with people posting photos of the hearts on their doors from around the world.

Showing support in Calgary

It’s starting to catch on in Calgary.

“I imagine many heath care workers are beyond stressed and tired already,” says Nicole Ingwersen, who lives in south Calgary. “If even one of them sees the heart on my door and it reminds them literally the whole world is cheering them on right now, then it will have done its job.”

Heart-spotting has become a pastime for Calgary mom Jackie Farkas and her three-year-old daughter Freya. When they go for their daily walks through Evanston Freya likes to point each heart out.

“My mom is a nurse so being able to show our love and appreciation for all that they do, even in a small way, feels good,” says Jackie Farkas the mother of three-year-old Freya.

Great way for kids to express themselves

Creating the hearts is also a good project for kids and a way for parents to talk about what’s going on with COVID-19 and allows them to feel like they’re helping.

“Freya’s too little to understand COVID but she knows she can’t see her grandma because she has to help take care of sick people.” says Farkas. “She calls all the hearts we see Lala’s hearts.”

Want to show your support? It’s as easy as crafting a heart and sharing a post of it with the #heartsforhealthcareworkers and #cfpcn hashtags.