More than $800,000 raised for the University Hospital Foundation’s Heart Month

Edmonton, AB – April 12, 2022 – Donors to the University Hospital Foundation raised $803,458.75 for the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute (Maz) through Heart Month activities in February. This is the second year in a row that community support – including a significant matching gift from the Jim Pattison Foundation – has broken fundraising records for cardiac care at the Maz.

“To say I am grateful and thrilled by this year’s record breaking achievement is an understatement. Our community supporters have unfailingly risen to support critical causes and advance the world-leading cardiac care at the Maz,” ~ Dr. Jodi L. Abbott, President and CEO of the University Hospital Foundation.

“Every donation we receive impacts patients and the talented healthcare professionals working to make good health attainable for everyone. Thank you to every donor, sponsor, Maz patients, doctors and researchers who participated. This event simply would not be possible without your overwhelming generosity.” said Dr. Jodi Abbott, President and CEO of the University Hospital Foundation.

Nearly 1,500 people participated in Heart Month activities, starting with the Maz Move-A-Thon, presented by MHCare Medical. Held through the entirety of February and organized by staff at the Maz, the event encourages participants to practice positive cardiovascular health alongside their fundraising. This year, participants walked, ran and cycled their way to 20,000 km and raised $61,000, amounting to $11,000 more than the event fundraising goal.

The UHF’s signature Heart Month event, Heart Pledge Day on up! 99.3, presented by Durabuilt Windows & Doors was held on February 24. The radio event featured the incredible stories and experiences of Maz cardiac staff and patients over 12 hours. At the Maz itself, donations made to Heart Month were shown through donor names being placed on the Heart Wall, presented by Rosenau Transport. More than $381,994 was raised at the end of the day, an amount that was doubled to $763,987, thanks to a matching gift from the Jim Pattison Foundation.

“Seeing the wave of support that comes through the University Hospital Foundation’s Heart Pledge Day means the world to so many patients and staff here at the Maz,” shared Dr. Robert Welsh. “There is this understanding in the community that supporting cardiac health through the pandemic and beyond is as critical as ever and that’s inspiring.”

Funds raised through Heart Month will go towards the purchase of hemodynamic cardiac monitoring systems – vital equipment that provide clinical information about a patient’s cardiac anatomy and function, along with precise measurements needed to diagnose and care for the most serious cardiac conditions.

To learn more about the University Hospital Foundation’s Heart Month activities visit GiveToUHF.ca/HeartMonth.

University Hospital Foundation

The University Hospital Foundation raises and manages funds to advance patient care, research and healthcare education at the University of Alberta Hospital, the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute and the Kaye Edmonton Clinic. For more information visit GivetoUHF.ca.

For more information visit GivetoUHF.ca.

Media inquiries can be directed to:  

Mikiko Van Horn 
Communication Specialist 
(825) 901-0614 
Mikiko.vanhorn@givetouhf.ca