Today is my 50th birthday and I am super excited to be sharing this monthly update with you. Earlier this month, as a kickoff to the milestone birthday, Tony and I traveled with the girls to Barcelona, Lisbon and Lagos. We spent 9 days wandering through sun-soaked cities, taking in architectural wonders, roaming through winding alleys, shopping at fun boutiques and embracing tapas-filled evenings on rooftops and sidewalks. It was magical.
I have never felt more alive and aligned. This trip was a long time in the making and the more I reflect on it, the more I am filled with enormous gratitude.
Beyond the sights and bites, the real magic was in the slower pace, the longer meals and deeper conversations with the girls, and the reminder that life doesn’t always need to run on a tight schedule. I lost track of the days of the week, which is a wonderful sign that I was living in the moment. I also noticed how good we felt after our meals, with way less processed food, fresh ingredients, smaller displays at the buffets and the fact we were walking 20k steps a day. There is a visible difference in how Europeans live their lives compared to North Americans and I wish I could bottle it up. The Mediterranean diet is practically a love letter to your heart. Healthy fats, fiber rich goodness, antioxidant boost and lower sodium. The lifestyle nourishes the soul. I returned home, less bloated, a little more tanned, a lot more inspired, and with thousands of photos needing to be curated.
While I was away, the Foundation team released our latest highlight video from the Wilbert Keon Memorial Golf Tournament presented by ServiceMaster. It was an amazing day on the course at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club, but the true highlight was with a new record-setting tally of $305k raised. Thanks again to our incredible sponsors, donors, participants and volunteers. Also, a big shoutout to Motion by Mike for capturing the day so well.
We’re gearing up for the return of the JUMP IN™ for Women’s Heart Health campaign—and we want you on the starting line with us! This nationwide challenge invites Canadians to get active for 30 minutes a day for 30 days throughout September, all in support of women’s heart health.
Heart disease remains the number one killer of women worldwide and women continue to be under-treated, under-diagnosed and under-researched. We are making huge strides with campaigns like these, but we need to keep the movement going. We have tons of new events, partners and activities slated for this year. Stay tuned for some very cool announcements including collaborations with the Ottawa Rapid FC and Altea.
Let’s move together, raise awareness, and make a difference—one step at a time.
This month, fresh off “The Beat”, we pay tribute to Dr. Kwan-Leung Chan, who is retiring after nearly four decades of transformative work in echocardiography at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. Dr. Chan has not only witnessed the evolution of heart imaging from one-dimensional black-and-white scans to cutting-edge 3D techniques—he’s been at the forefront, leading the way. Through his clinical excellence, his mentorship of over 70 cardiologists, and his dedication to patient-centered care, Dr. Chan has left an indelible mark on cardiac medicine in Canada and beyond.
That’s a wrap for me, so here’s to sunny memories, strong hearts, and the people who make it all meaningful. Whether you are nursing a post golf tan, chasing after the kids and grandkids at the park, jumping into a lake or pool or having the chance to travel this summer, please know, we are grateful to have you with us and appreciate you being part of the Heart Institute family. Your support fuels everything we do.
With Love,
Lianne
