CALGARY, Sept. 15, 2014 /CNW/ - Against the backdrop of a world-class equestrian event in Calgary this weekend, a story of heart- warming proportions was also making the rounds, as funds and awareness were raised in support of healthy hearts in Alberta.
Throughout the two-day Masters Tournament weekend at Spruce Meadows, Canadian Pacific (CP) and the Heart and Stroke Foundation (HSF) teamed together to raise $210,000 to enable faster and better emergency cardiac response in Alberta, as part of CP's charitable CP Has Heart initiative.
The weekend marked CP's inaugural sponsorship of the CP International, where Canadian show jumping icon Ian Millar took home first place. He and 12 other competitors jumped clear rounds during the tournament resulting in CP contributing $140,000 to cover the placement of Automated External Defibrillators (AED's) in locations where young people play, gather and learn. The monies raised will also be used to fund AED and CPR training for 2,500 young people in Alberta.
"CP is delighted with the Spruce Meadows family, the competitors and the more than 80,000 spectators who have embraced our railroad's efforts to bring the focus on heart health to light at the CP International," said CP CEO E. Hunter Harrison. "Together we can raise the awareness around this important cause and help save lives."
The additional $70,000 was raised through on-site activities for the general public and by CP generously matching all donations to the Heart and Stroke foundation made by those who visited the grounds.
"It is fitting that our partnership with CP at this world-class event is supporting lifesaving AEDs and training for the heart health of Albertans," said Donna Hastings, CEO, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Alberta, NWT & Nunavut. "CP truly does have heart and I am pleased that together we are creating survivors."
In the past year alone, the HSF has placed more than 200 AED's in public places throughout the province and trained thousands of Albertans to use them. About 40,000 Canadians experience cardiac arrest each year - about one every 12 minutes. And, using an AED in combination with CPR, prior to the arrival of emergency medical services, offers the best chance of saving a life.
About Spruce Meadows
Spruce Meadows focuses on the organization and hosting of show jumping tournaments of unmatched quality for junior, amateur and professional athletes in a manner that reflects basic family values in a clean, green and welcoming environment that celebrates the horse and encourages the breeding and training of quality sport horses and the teaching and development of athletes. For more information on Spruce Meadows, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com
About the Heart and Stroke Foundation
The Heart & Stroke Foundation, a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke, reducing their impact through initiatives to prevent disease, save lives and promote recovery. Healthy lives free of heart disease and stroke. Together we will make it happen. Heartandstroke.ca
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. Find out more on www.cpr.ca or @CPhasHeart.
About CP
Canadian Pacific (TSX:CP)(NYSE:CP) 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 Canadian Pacific.
Image with caption: "(From left to right) Kyle Winters (VP Corporate Partnerships, Heart & Stroke Foundation), Curtis Rosenau, Austin McGrath, Mark Wallace (CP), David Sculthorpe (CEO HSF) (CNW Group/Heart and Stroke Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140915_C9131_PHOTO_EN_42787.jpg
SOURCE: Heart and Stroke Foundation
For more information or interviews, contact:
Salem Woodrow
Media Relations Coordinator, Canadian Pacific,
(403) 835-9005
[email protected]
Cathy O'Connell
Director, Marketing & Communications, Heart and Stroke Foundation
T: (403) 351 7035 C: 403-880-3553
[email protected]
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