Calgary Health Foundation Aims to Transform Cardiac Care

The Calgary Health Foundation is launching a campaign to improve cardiac care in Calgary, aiming to raise $2.5 million to renovate one of the six catheterization labs at the Foothills Medical Centre. This initiative comes as part of the foundation’s ongoing efforts to enhance health services and promote innovation in the region.

In a recent discussion, Paul Rossman, CEO of the Calgary Health Foundation, detailed the impact of previous donations on local healthcare. Notably, he cited the acquisition of a cardiac PET scanner, the only one of its kind in the city. This advanced technology is crucial for detecting coronary blockages, particularly in women. Rossman emphasized the importance of community support, stating, “What that does is catalyze investment by Alberta Health Services and the province to build infrastructure around that diagnostic equipment.”

The foundation’s spring campaign successfully raised awareness, leading to significant donations. Rossman noted that the new equipment will greatly enhance diagnostics for women’s cardiovascular health, describing it as a potential “game-changer.”

As part of this year’s Giving Tuesday activities and the holiday season, the foundation is focused on reaching a goal of $400,000 by year-end. This funding will support the renovation of catheterization labs, which enable doctors to perform minimally invasive cardiac surgeries. These procedures, which include replacing heart valves through veins and arteries, lead to improved outcomes for patients and reduce hospital stays. Rossman explained, “They’re replacing heart valves through veins and arteries rather than open-heart surgeries. It’s a better outcome for the patients . . . and for the hospital because the patients are in and out within a day.”

The campaign is further supported by Lanny McDonald, a hockey legend who has become a spokesperson for the initiative. McDonald underwent a procedure in one of the refurbished labs after experiencing a cardiac arrest at Calgary airport in February 2024. Rossman praised McDonald’s involvement, stating, “He’s such a beloved Calgarian and he’s so well known, and he agreed to share his name and his story with us because he’s grateful for the care that he received.”

In addition to the catheterization lab project, the Calgary Health Foundation is working to raise $5 million for a women’s cardiovascular health clinic. This is part of their broader mission to advance surgical innovation and improve cardiac care. Rossman highlighted the importance of these campaigns in raising awareness about the foundation’s goals and the necessary changes within the healthcare system.

“The health system is publicly funded,” Rossman remarked, “but public funding is often strained by the daily demands for services.” He stressed the challenge of securing resources for innovation, stating that philanthropy plays a crucial role. “Philanthropy can be the catalyst for innovation in the health system because it’s an opportunity for physicians to seek dedicated funding to try new things, implement new technologies.”

The Calgary Health Foundation’s initiatives underscore the importance of community involvement in healthcare advancements, particularly in critical areas such as cardiovascular health. As the foundation continues its efforts, it aims to create a lasting impact on the health and well-being of Calgarians.