The University of Ottawa Heart Institute benefits from year-long partnership with CP Has Heart, helping to raise $265,500 for cardiac care in the Ottawa area

OTTAWA, Nov. 27, 2017 /CNW/ - Canadian Pacific (CP), through its partnership with the CFL and the Touchdowns for Heart campaign, has shown tremendous support for cardiac care across the country. This year, funds raised through both the CP Touchdowns for Heart and Beautiful Hearts campaigns during the CFL regular season, playoffs and culminating at the 105^th Grey Cup, will support the largest expansion in the University of Ottawa Heart Institute's 40-year history.

CP donated $1,000 for each home-game touchdown made by the Ottawa REDBLACKS during the CFL regular season, $2,500 for each touchdown made by the home team during the divisional semi-finals, and $5,000 for home-team touchdowns during the finals. An incredible $10,000 for each touchdown scored by the Toronto Argonauts and the Calgary Stampeders during the 105^th Grey Cup game yesterday, resulted in an additional $60,000 donation. This, together with more than $130,500 generated through fundraising initiatives, including a social media initiative with a $.50 per tweet/share donation as part of the Beautiful Hearts campaign, means that CP has made a $265,000 contribution to cardiac care.

"Through CP Has Heart and our sponsorship of the CFL, we are proud to be able to leave such a legacy in the nation's capital as we close out a year of celebrations for Canada 150," said Martin Cej, CP Assistant Vice-President Public Affairs and Communications. "Through the #BeautifulHearts campaign and the CP Touchdowns for Heart, we were able to bring awareness and funds to support the University of Ottawa Heart Institute." 

The Heart Institute's new 145,000 square foot state-of-the-art clinical expansion, including five operating rooms and one shelled-in operating room, nine catheterization and electrophysiology labs, and an additional 27 critical care beds, will open on April 2, 2018. Renovations to 60,000 square feet of existing space are expected to be complete in 2020. These improvements will allow the Institute to continue to serve the cardiac care needs of our community for decades to come. As the move-in date draws near, the Heart Institute Foundation is focused on providing support for the purchase of critical and highly specialized cardiac equipment for which the Heart Institute does not receive funding from any level of government.

"The Heart Institute is grateful for CP's leadership through the CP Has Heart initiative," said Jim Orban, President and CEO of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation. "This $265,000 gift will support the Heart Institute's ability to care for the thousands of patients who come through its doors each year."

About Canadian Pacific
Canadian Pacific is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to eight major ports, including Vancouver and Montreal, providing North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of CP.

CP Has Heart
At CP, we know that a railroad may serve as the arteries of a nation, but at its heart is community. That's why, through CP Has Heart, we've already committed more than $12 million to help improve the heart health of men, women and children across North America. And along the way, we're showing heart whenever we can. Find out more on www.cpr.ca or @CPhasHeart.

About the University of Ottawa Heart Institute
We are Canada's foremost heart health centre dedicated to understanding, treating, and preventing heart disease. We deliver high-tech care with a personal touch, shape the way cardiovascular medicine is practiced, and revolutionize cardiac treatment and understanding. We build knowledge through research and translate discoveries into advanced care. We serve the local, national, and international communities as we pioneer a new era in heart health.  Next spring, the Heart Institute will inaugurate a next generation cardiac centre that will see more than 145,000 sq. ft. of new space, five operating rooms and one shelled-in operating room, nine catheterization/ electrophysiology labs, and an additional surgical critical care unit with 27 beds. This new facility will ensure our continued capacity to shape cardiovascular care, research and education for the coming decades.

SOURCE University of Ottawa Heart Institute