CALGARY, June 23, 2017 /CNW/ - Canadian Pacific (CP) is
partnering with the CFL to spread awareness across Canada about the importance of heart health
while raising money for the University of
Ottawa Heart Institute throughout the 2017 season and into
the 105th Grey Cup in Ottawa.
To build awareness on the simple steps Canadians can take to
prevent the risk of heart disease, fans are being challenged by a
new CP Has Heart Family, consisting of 11 CFL players, alumni,
general managers, owners and officials. The challenge is simple,
describe what a beautiful heart means to you, and enter to win
great prizes, including a grand prize trip to the 2017 Grey Cup in
Ottawa.
Today, the now retired 104th Grey Cup Champion
and MVP and CP Has Heart Family member Henry Burris kicked off the #BeautifulHearts
campaign with a video showing his experience meeting Ottawa Heart
Institute's ambassador Olivia
Hiddema, who had her first open-heart surgery four days
after her birth.
"The money that's hard-earned through the things that CP has
done, especially with the CFL, helps bring exposure to the fight
that we're all involved in," Burris said. "And for us to go visit
places like the Ottawa Heart Institute to see the effects felt and
the smiles we can put on their faces day-in and day-out we know
that we've done our part. And the fact that we have people leading
us and guiding us in the right direction is something that we truly
cherish."
Every two weeks throughout the season, a new video from the CP
Has Heart Family will be shared on social media, challenging fans
and other players to rally for heart health. The family of
ambassadors will also have another challenge for fans, with every
share, "love" or retweet on Facebook and Twitter generating a
$0.50 donation to the Ottawa Heart
Institute from the CFL.
"CP is proud of our partnership with the CFL and the benefit our
community partners receive from the passion of CFL fans," said
Keith Creel, CP President and Chief
Executive Officer. "Heart health is an important cause and one that
resonates with our CP family of nearly 12,000 railroaders. Having a
beautiful heart means taking care of ourselves so we can be there
for our loved ones, our friends, and our communities."
To enter the #BeautifulHearts contest, go to cfl.ca/contest,
upload your selfie, decorate it with your favourite team's filter
and chose your Beautiful Heart definition. One grand prize winner
will win a trip for two to the 105th Grey Cup in
Ottawa.
"The partnership between CP and the CFL is a longstanding and an
important one that impacts our communities across Canada. We are so excited to kick off our 2017
season by inviting fans from coast-to-coast-to-coast to bring it in
on such a critical initiative," added Tyler
Mazereeuw, Vice-President, Corporate Partnerships, CFL.
To celebrate the 105th Grey Cup in Ottawa and Canada 150, CP is bringing Touchdowns for
Heart to all Ottawa REDBLACKS home games, donating $1,000 to the Ottawa Heart Institute for each
touchdown. During the playoffs, CP's donation to Ottawa Heart
Institute will increase for any home team touchdown during round
one and two and $10,000 per touchdown
for either team at the Grey Cup.
Funds raised during the 2017 season, playoffs, Grey Cup and from
the Beautiful Hearts campaign will support the Ottawa Heart
Institute's new 145,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility
which will increase their ability to serve the cardiac care needs
of Canadians in our Nation's Capital, throughout Eastern Ontario, Nunavut and beyond.
"We are grateful to CP and to the CP Has Heart program for
providing leadership and support for heart health in Ottawa and across Canada," said Jim
Orban, University of Ottawa
Heart Institute Foundation President and CEO. "The Beautiful Hearts
initiative will have a lasting effect in that it brings awareness
towards a better understanding of heart health and it will provide
crucial funds to support the Heart Institute's expansion, allowing
us to provide life-changing cardiac care to more Canadians."
CP Has Heart's mission is to improve the heart health of men,
women and children in North
America. Through our partnership with the league and CP Has
Heart, we can shine a spotlight on local charities that make a
difference in the communities. Since 2014, $500,000 has been raised for local heart
charities in host Grey Cup cities as a result of CP's efforts.
CP Has Heart Family:
- Henry Burris, Retired CFL
Quarterback
- Wally Buono, Head Coach and GM,
BC Lions
- Shamawd Chambers, Wide Receiver, Edmonton Eskimos
- Kavis Reed, GM, Montreal
Alouettes
- Henoc Muamba, Linebacker,
Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Jamaal Westerman, Defensive
Lineman, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- Rob Cote, Fullback, Calgary
Stampeders
- Andre Proulx, Head Referee,
CPFOA
- Zach Collaros, Quarterback,
Hamilton Tigercats
- John Ruddy, Owner, Ottawa
REDBLACKS
- Chris Van Zeyl, Offensive
Lineman, Toronto Argonauts
The Beautiful Hearts campaign will also support the
refurbishment of facilities that patients use every day at the
Children's Hospital of Eastern
Ontario (CHEO) and celebrate the resiliency and spirit of
the human heart. CHEO is the official beneficiary of the 2017 CP
Women's Open at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club, August 21-27.
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 www.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
$10 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 Canadian Football League
Today's CFL is
more than just our great game of football. It's fans sharing their
excitement for what they see on the field, and what they experience
off it. Stay up to date on all the non-stop action at CFL.ca. And
join all of Canada as we celebrate
the 105th Grey Cup, presented by Shaw, next November in
Ottawa.
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.
SOURCE Canadian Pacific