University Hospital Foundation’s Heart Month raises more than $500,000 for the Maz

Edmonton, AB – March 11, 2021 – This February, donors to the University Hospital Foundation (UHF) raised $511,735, a new Heart Month record, in support of the University of Alberta Hospital’s Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute (Maz).

The future of cardiac care lies in innovation, and the innovators who make it happen. Every donation received during Heart Month will benefit patients and support the fearless physicians, researchers, and healthcare providers who strive to advance cardiac care.

“Our community has rallied to support the Maz, just as they did to help build the facility, and shown us once again how amazingly generous Albertans are. Thank you to each donor who called in or went online to make a gift, our sponsors, and every patient and staff member at the Maz who shared their stories to help inspire this overwhelming generosity,” said Dr. Jodi L. Abbott, President and CEO of the University Hospital Foundation. “These record breaking donations will directly impact the care patients receive at the Maz by supporting advancement in healthcare technology, techniques and research.”

More than 1,500 people donated to UHF for Heart Month through a variety of fundraising initiatives, including the UHF’s signature Heart Month event – 630 CHED Heart Pledge Day for the University Hospital Foundation presented by Durabuilt Windows & Doors on February 24.

Durabuilt Windows & Doors has been the presenting sponsor of 630 CHED Heart Pledge Day since 2016, and initially became involved in supporting the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute before it was built, by supporting and fundraising for the Guru Nanak Dev Healing Garden.

630 CHED listeners heard healthcare heroes share stories about the innovative care they provide patients every day, including minimally invasive surgical techniques, mechanical hearts, and machines that keep organs “alive” outside the body. They also heard inspiring stories from resilient patients who have survived heart attacks, received heart transplants, and have been able to return to their daily lives, because of the care they received at the Maz.

“Doctors and nurses, 24 hours a day, were in and out of my room making sure everything was going okay. The love they showed was non-stop,” said Brenda Savage, a patient who spent 4 weeks in the Cardiovascular Inventive Care Unit at the Maz. “They saved my life, and gave my kids their mom back. My team was amazing. The Maz is the absolute best.”

Staff from the Maz spearheaded their own Heart Month fundraising campaign, replacing their annual spin-a-thon event with the Maz Move-A-Thon. Participants virtually walked an astonishing 75,468,693 steps across the world throughout the month of February and raised more than $53,000 for the Maz.

To help spread awareness about the work that happens every day at the Maz, the University Hospital Foundation hosted two Virtual Cardiac Expeditions in February. Over 850 people attended both events to hear from Dr. Kevin Bainey and Dr. Jayan Nagendran and get a behind-the-scenes look at advancements in cardiac care.

Funds raised through all Heart Month initiatives will go to the Maz Innovation Fund. The fund supports the advancement of clinical programs, quality improvement, equipment and research, helping to ensure that the Maz remains one of the world’s leading complex cardiac care centres, and continues to provide the best cardiac care to patients.

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 innovation at the University of Alberta Hospital, the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute and the Kaye Edmonton Clinic, as well as research at the University of Alberta and care in the community though Alberta Health Services (AHS). For more information visit GivetoUHF.ca.