CP donates $90,000 to bring blood diagnostic machine to BC's Royal Columbian Hospital for cardiac care

Railroad commits an additional $10,000 for every touchdown scored during the 102nd Grey Cup final

CALGARY, Nov. 24, 2014 /CNW/ - In conjunction with Canadian Pacific's sponsorship of the CFL Grey Cup, the railroad's CP Has Heart Touchdowns program is making a run to the end zone in the name of cardiac care, delivering cash to Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation. The funds will purchase equipment to improve critical cardiac care at Royal Columbian Hospital.

For every home team touchdown made during the playoffs, CP contributed $5,000 to Royal Columbian for a total of $90,000. Now, all eyes are on the 102nd Grey Cup game on November 30 in Vancouver where every touchdown scored by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Calgary Stampeders will generate an additional $10,000 for Royal Columbian, home to one of the busiest cardiac centres in Canada.

"The work being done at Royal Columbian, including four open-heart surgeries a day, is truly lifesaving," said Mark Wallace, CP's Vice-President Corporate Affairs. "CP is committed to improving heart health across North America and, with Vancouver being the host of this year's Grey Cup, it was a natural fit to give back to this important Fraser Valley hospital."

The contribution from the CP Has Heart Touchdowns program is supporting Royal Columbian Hospital's cardiac surgery team to introduce new blood management initiatives as a first in Western Canada. When cardiac surgery patients are bleeding, the team at the Royal Columbian needs to figure out why - and fast.

"Advances in technology can provide valuable medical information and help our cardiac surgical team make quick decisions on the best care for patients," said Jeff Norris, Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation President and CEO. "CP will be making a real difference in the lives of British Columbians in need of cardiac care. Everyone at Royal Columbian will be cheering for a high scoring Grey Cup."

About Royal Columbian Hospital Cardiac Surgery Program
Royal Columbian Hospital is BC's busiest cardiac care centre, performing complex open-heart surgery as well as minimally-invasive procedures to open blocked arteries and replace failing heart valves. Royal Columbian provides 24/7 access to emergency angioplasty (to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels) and its Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit (CSICU) has a specialized team responsible for managing the recovery of more than 950 patients each year.

Visit Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation at rchfoundation.com to learn more about the centre, read testimonials and make your own donation to improve the heart health of men, women and children.

About 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're committed to improving the heart health of men, women and children across North America. And along the way, we're showing heart whenever we can. By the end of 2014, CP will have contributed $2M towards saving lives and improving the heart health of patients of all ages. Find out more on www.cpr.ca or @CPhasHeart. For a running tally of our contribution to the CP Has Heart Touchdowns program and more information visit: http://www.cpr.ca/en/community/cfl

SOURCE: Canadian Pacific

Media Contacts: Jason Howe, Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation, o: [phone], c: [phone], email: [email protected]; Jeremy Berry, CP, Tel: [phone], email: [email protected], 24/7 Media Pager: 855-242-3674