CALGARY, June 16, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Pacific (CP) Grand Prix, held yesterday at Spruce Meadows, wrapped up with a big victory for McLain Ward (USA), aboard 13-year-old Warmblood, Rothchild in the $210,000 event. The Heart and Stroke Foundation was also a winner, as recipient of a significant generous contribution by the railroad of $120,000 to benefit youth heart health.
"What better place to launch CP Has Heart - our new community investment program - than in our home community of Calgary, at a Spruce Meadows event enjoyed by thousands of families," said E. Hunter Harrison, Canadian Pacific's chief executive officer. "Congratulations to McLain Ward, the winner of the CP Grand Prix."
As part of the day's events, CP worked with the Heart and Stroke Foundation at Spruce Meadows to help enable faster and better cardiac emergency response in the Calgary area, by teaching hundreds of Calgarians how simple it can be to save a life with CPR and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).
And every time a competitor jumped a clear round in the CP Grand Prix yesterday, CP donated lifesaving AED equipment and training (valued at $10,000) to a joint initiative with the Heart & Stroke Foundation, which is installing AEDs and providing lifesaving training where Calgary-area youth learn, play and gather. The first CPR and AED awareness events will take place at the Calgary Zoo this summer, and the initiative is working closely with other organizations in Calgary to ensure this lifesaving technology and training will be deployed where it is needed most.
About 40,000 Canadians experience cardiac arrest each year - about one every 12 minutes, and less than five per cent of those who suffer a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital survive. That's why the Heart and Stroke Foundation trains about 440,000 Canadians every year in CPR and AEDs - because using these techniques in combination prior to the arrival of emergency medical services offers the best chance of saving a life.
"CP's gift means that more youth will be trained to save a life with an AED, which, when coupled with CPR, doubles the chance of recovery from sudden cardiac arrest," said Donna Hastings, CEO, Heart & Stroke Foundation, Alberta, NWT & Nunavut. "This is a skill they can use and carry forward through their lives, to create more survivors tomorrow."
CP's support and presence at Spruce Meadows has a long history, a relationship that traces back to the very first tournament in June 1976. CP's renewed sponsorship of Spruce Meadows continues in September 2014 with the Canadian Pacific International, which will offer the largest prize money awarded for a single-day event in show jumping, raising the 'Masters' Tournament to the richest event of its kind in the world.
"We are thrilled by the turnout at yesterday's CP Grand Prix," said Spruce Meadows President & CEO Linda Southern-Heathcott. "And honoured that CP selected Spruce Meadows as the site to launch CP Has Heart. Spruce Meadows and the Southern family looks forward to showing our heart alongside CP in September."
About Spruce Meadows
Spruce Meadows focuses on the organization and hosting of show jumping tournaments of unmatched quality for junior, amateur and professional athletes in a manner that reflects basic family values in a clean, green and welcoming environment that celebrates the horse and encourages the breeding and training of quality sport horses and the teaching and development of athletes. For more information on Spruce Meadows, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com
About the Heart and Stroke Foundation
The Heart and Stroke Foundation, a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke, reducing their impact through initiatives to prevent disease, save lives and promote recovery. Healthy lives free of heart disease and stroke. Together we will make it happen. Learn how at Heartandstroke.ca
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 CP
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 a low-cost provider that 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 Canadian Pacific.
Image with caption: "CP Has Heart (CNW Group/Canadian Pacific)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140616_C7250_PHOTO_EN_41426.jpg
SOURCE: Canadian Pacific
Media Contacts:
CP
Breanne Feigel
Director Public Affairs
C 403.589.6949
E [email protected]
Heart & Stroke Media Contact
Cathy O'Connell
Director, Marketing & Communications
T 403 351 7035 | C 403 880 3523
E [email protected]
Spruce Meadow
Ian Allison
Senior Vice President
T: 403-974-4227
C: 403-540-5522
Canadian Pacific is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to major ports on the west and east coasts, providing North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing...
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