Children's heart health wins big at the Canadian Pacific Women's Open

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Aug 24, 2014, 06:45 ET

Canadian Pacific donates $1.1 M to the Children's Health Foundation in support of paediatric cardiac research and care for children in London and across Southwestern Ontario.

LONDON, ON, Aug. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - The Canadian Pacific Women's Open ended today, and kids living with heart disease had something more to celebrate than just So Yeon Ryu's big win. Canadian Pacific (CP) is pleased to announce they will be making a cash donation of $1,100,045 to the Children's Health Foundation to support continued world class research and treatment for children's cardiac care at Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC).

"We're so happy that our CP has Heart program gift will positively impact the lives of children with heart disease in London and throughout Southwestern Ontario," said Canadian Pacific CEO E. Hunter Harrison. "Through the Canadian Pacific Women's Open we're helping to ensure that the leading edge paediatric cardiology program at Children's Hospital continues to advance children's cardiac research and care for years to come."

To celebrate this significant milestone, the paediatric cardiac program at Children's Hospital will be renamed the Canadian Pacific Centre for Paediatric Cardiac Care. CP's gift will be put towards expanding the program's capabilities through the purchase of paediatric-specific stress testing equipment, which will help with research and improve the quality of life of patients as they mature into adulthood.

"On behalf of the London Health Sciences Centre, I want to thank CP for this incredibly generous - and incredibly important - donation," said Laurie Gould, Chief Clinical Officer, London Health Sciences Centre. "Today 90% of infants born with complex heart defects reach adulthood as compared to just 20%, sixty years ago. With CP's help, we're looking forward to further improving that figure through innovative research into the prevention of congenital heart disease."

A second component of CP's gift will be put towards establishing a cardiology research fund, called the Canadian Pacific Research Fund for Paediatric Cardiac Care. The fund will support research to advance knowledge in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of children with cardiac-related health issues.

"We are so grateful to receive this generous donation from CP through their program CP Has Heart," said Susan Crowley, President and CEO of Children's Health Foundation. "CP and Children's Health Foundation clearly make excellent partners, with a mutual passion for improving the health and well-being of children and supporting their families through the delivery of exceptional care and leading edge research."

The newly named Canadian Pacific Centre for Paediatric Cardiac Care at Children's Hospital in London is a world-class facility with cardiologists that are on-call 24/7 for patient families to call with questions or concerns. The paediatric cardiology service sees over 3,500 patients each year - patients like nine year old Rachael Wright.

Within hours of her birth, Rachael was fighting for her life. Diagnosed with pulmonary heart dysfunction and congenital heart defects, Rachael has been under the care of the cardiology team at Children's Hospital her entire life and today enjoys being active in gymnastics and dance.

"Twenty to thirty years ago, Rachael may not have made it," reflects Rachael's father Chris Wright. "It's only thanks to the research and attentive care provided at Children's Hospital that Rachael is alive today and is a happy and healthy little girl."

The 2014 Canadian Pacific Women's Open in London, Ontario is the first of three tournaments that CP will serve as the title sponsor. Every year, CP and Golf Canada will commit to a charitable component linked to the tournament as it moves to communities around the country.

"Golf Canada is thrilled to have been a part of such a big win for children's heart health at the Canadian Pacific Women's Open in London this year," said Scott Simmons, CEO of Golf Canada. "Everyone has rallied around CP's fundraising, particularly the players who embraced the Birdies for Heart challenge on the 17^th Green. The end result is a memorable experience for everyone involved."

ABOUT THE 2014 CANADIAN PACIFIC WOMEN'S OPEN
The stars of the LPGA Tour competed at the inaugural Canadian Pacific Women's Open from August 18-24 at the London Hunt and Country Club in London, Ont. The CP Women's Open, Canada's National Championship, is proudly sponsored by CP, Molson Canadian 67, TaylorMade adidas Golf, The Glenlivet, Four Points by Sheraton, London and CVS Controls LTD. For information visit www.CPwomensopen.com.

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 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 www.cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of Canadian Pacific.

ABOUT CHILDREN'S HEALTH FOUNDATION
The Children's Health Foundation is dedicated to raising and granting funds to support Children's Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre, Thames Valley Children's Centre and Children's Health Research Institute. Since 1922, funds raised have helped deliver exceptional care and support for children and their families by providing specialized paediatric care, equipment, education programs, therapy, rehabilitation services and research. To learn more about how you can positively impact the health of children, youth and their families, please visit www.childhealth.ca.

GOLF CANADA - LOVE THE GAME. GROW THE GAME.
Golf Canada is the National Sports Organization and governing body for golf in Canada representing close to 322,000 golfers at nearly 1,500 member clubs across the country. A proud member of the Canadian Olympic Committee, Golf Canada's mission is to grow participation, excellence and passion in the sport while upholding the integrity and traditions of the game. By investing in the growth of the sport and introducing more participants of all ages to the game, our goal is to be relevant to and respected by all Canadian golf enthusiasts from coast to coast. For more information about what Golf Canada is doing to support golf in your community, visit www.golfcanada.ca.

SOURCE Canadian Pacific

Image with caption: "Mark Wallace, Vice President Corporate Affairs, Canadian Pacific; Laurie Gould, Chief Clinical Officer, London Health Sciences Centre; Susan Crowley, President and Chief Executive Officer Children's Health Foundation; Rachael Wright, Child Ambassador, CP has Heart; Dr. Beary Goode & Victoria Wright (ON THE TRAIN) (CNW Group/Canadian Pacific)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140824_C7810_PHOTO_EN_42529.jpg

Image with caption: "Rachael Wright, Child Ambassador, CP has Heart (CNW Group/Canadian Pacific)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140824_C7810_PHOTO_EN_42530.jpg