CP Touchdowns for Heart scores big this post-season in support of cardiac treatment at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre

CALGARY, Nov. 20, 2016 /CNW/ - Canadian Pacific (CP) is once again teaming up with the CFL to deliver CP Touchdowns for Heart during the 104th Grey Cup Playoffs. This year, CP is supporting the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre's Mechanical Heart Program. Mechanical hearts provide an immediate lifeline, helping damaged hearts function until a transplant is possible.

CP contributed $5,000 to the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre (PMCC), part of University Health Network, for every home team touchdown made during the first and second rounds of the playoffs for a total of $80,000.

CP Touchdowns for Heart will conclude at the 104^th Grey Cup on November 27 in Toronto, where every touchdown scored by the Calgary Stampeders and Ottawa REDBLACKS will generate $10,000 to help patients with heart failure at the PMCC, Canada's premier cardiac centre. 

"CP Has Heart, our community investment program, is making a significant investment in cardiac care to improve the lives of men, women and children across North America," said Mark Wallace, CP Vice-President Corporate Affairs. "The Peter Munk Cardiac Centre is the site of the largest Mechanical Heart Program in Canada. These incredible devices give patients time for their heart to recover while awaiting a heart transplant."

During last year's Grey Cup run, the CP Touchdowns for Heart campaign raised $180,000 to support a new cardiac screening protocol for women at St. Boniface Hospital. This year's fundraising for the PMCC will help purchase mechanical hearts, or left ventricular assist devices. Often referred to as a "bridge to transplant," this sophisticated, miniature mechanical pump is surgically implanted on one or both sides of the heart. It acts as a temporary assist to keep a diseased or damaged heart functioning until a replacement heart is located.

"An unremitting focus on innovation coupled with leading medical expertise in cardiac-assist device technology like the mechanical heart has enabled our centre to continue to break new ground in this growing area of research and treatment, both in Canada and around the world," said Dr. Barry Rubin, Medical Director, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre. "Through the tremendous generosity of CP, CP Has Heart and other philanthropic support, our goal to offer this potential lifeline to even more patients enduring the debilitating effects of heart failure becomes possible."

Go to www.touchdownforpmcc.ca to donate to the Mechanical Heart Program.

Fans can also show their heart in the CP Has Heart Red Zone during the 104^th Grey Cup Festival at Roundhouse Park in Toronto on November 25 and 26, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Participate in the following family activities to help raise funds for the PMCC and win CFL prizes:

• The Mechanical Heart Gallery - Discover how the Mechanical Heart Program at the PMCC saves the lives of Canadians with heart failure.
  
  
• CP Touchdowns for Heart - Dive for a catch into a foam pit, score and get a 180-degree photo of your Touchdown for Heart moment.
  
  
• CP Completions for Heart - Show your quarterback skills! Donate $5 and complete three passes at different targets to be entered into a draw to win a VIP experience at the Grey Cup game. Hit the targets and CP will donate an additional amount on your behalf.
  
  
• CP Heart House - Eating healthy and being active are simple steps to prevent heart disease. Spin the wheel and complete a short, football themed workout in exchange for a heart healthy treat.
  
  
• The Little General - Take your picture with CP's mini-train, a ¼ scale model of a General Electric AC4400 locomotive.

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

About Canadian Pacific
Canadian Pacific CPCP 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 CP.

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 $8 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 Peter Munk Cardiac Centre
The Peter Munk Cardiac Centre is the premier cardiac centre in Canada. Since it opened in 1997, the Centre has saved and improved the lives of cardiac and vascular patients from around the world. Each year, approximately 55,000 patients receive innovative and compassionate care from multidisciplinary teams in the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, and the Centre trains more cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons and vascular surgeons than any other hospital in Canada. The Centre is based at the Toronto General Hospital and the Toronto Western Hospital - members of University Health Network. www.petermunkcardiaccentre.ca

SOURCE Canadian Pacific