Canadian Pacific supports cardiac research, delivers Touchdowns for Heart again this CFL post-season

CALGARY, Nov. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ - Canadian Pacific (CP) is once again teaming up with the CFL to deliver CP Touchdowns for Heart during the 103^rd Grey Cup Playoffs. This year, the program is supporting the development of a heart health screening protocol, specifically for women, at St-Boniface Hospital's Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences in Winnipeg.

For every home team touchdown made during rounds one and two of the playoffs, CP contributed $5,000 to St-Boniface Hospital for a total of $70,000.

Through the generosity of Manitobans and matching funds by CP, another $31,750 was raised for cardiac research during the November 13 St-Boniface Hospital Radiothon of Hope and Healing.

CP Touchdowns for Heart will conclude at the 103^rd Grey Cup on November 29 in Winnipeg, where every touchdown scored by Ottawa REDBLACKS and Edmonton Eskimos will generate $10,000 for women's heart health at the St-Boniface Hospital, home to one of North America's premier cardiovascular research teams. 

"Our community investment program, CP Has Heart, aims to improve heart health across North America, particularly for those in communities where we operate," said Mark Wallace, CP Vice President Corporate Affairs. "The fact is, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and impacts more women than men. The money raised throughout the CFL playoffs will help develop a program to accurately identify women who have early stages of cardiovascular disease long before they are aware they are at risk, which in turn could save lives."

During last year's Grey Cup run, the CP Touchdowns for Heart campaign raised $120,000 to support the cardiac surgery team at BC's Royal Columbian Hospital in a new blood management initiative, a one-of-a-kind program in western Canada. This year's fundraising for St-Boniface Hospital will support another first as the hospital's cardiac researchers embark on the first cardiac screening clinical trial for women in Manitoba.

"Heart disease is the number one killer of women. Most women are unaware of their risk partly because women's symptoms are not the same as those experienced by men," said Charles (Chuck) LaFlèche, President and CEO of St-Boniface Hospital Foundation. "CP's support for the heart health screening protocol will help St-Boniface Hospital find new ways of identifying women at risk, before they have a heart attack or stroke. CP will be making a significant difference in women's heart health advances. Everyone at St-Boniface Hospital will be cheering for a high scoring Grey Cup! We are very thankful for the support."

Fans can also show their heart and join CP at the MacDon Fan Experience and Family Zone located at the University of Winnipeg Health & RecPlex from November 26-28, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Participate in the following family activities to help raise funds for St-Boniface Hospital and win CFL prizes:

• CP Field Goals for Heart: Complete our football training circuit and kick for a field goal. For each successful field goal, CP will donate $10 to St-Boniface Hospital.
• CP Hustle for Heart: Hustle your heart out with friends and family in this fun interactive video game. CP will make a donation on behalf of each participant.
• The Little General: Take a selfie with CP's miniature train – a ¼ scale model of a General Electric AC4400 locomotive.

Visit the CP Heart House to learn more about heart health. For a $20 donation, receive your choice of a CP and Grey Cup branded toque or CP Has Heart kids mittens. All proceeds go to St-Boniface Hospital in support of women's heart health research. 

Starting November 22 through to the Grey Cup, you can also text HEART to "45678" to donate $10 for women's heart health research at St-Boniface Hospital.

Make sure to follow all the action on Twitter and Instagram @CPhasHeart.

About Canadian Pacific
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.

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've already committed more than $6 million dollars 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 St-Boniface Hospital and Foundation
St-Boniface Hospital, established in 1871, was the first hospital in western Canada and is a leader in patient care excellence and innovative research. The St-Boniface Hospital Foundation was founded in 1971 and is the primary fundraising organization for St-Boniface Hospital. The Foundation is dedicated to making possible the many innovations in health research and patient care taking place at the Hospital.

SOURCE Canadian Pacific