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.
SOURCE Heart and Stroke Foundation
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