Sheldon Souray To Launch Heart Week - February 12 to 16

MONTREAL, FEBRUARY 8, 2007 -- The Heart of Life Fund is organizing its fourth annual Heart Week celebrations with the support of The Montreal Children’s Hospital (MCH) Foundation and over 30 English and French schools in and around the greater Montreal area.

Heart Week’s official launch will take place on Monday, February 12th (1:30 p.m.) at Roslyn Elementary School in Westmount (4699 Westmount Ave.) with the presence of Montreal Royal Basketball Team player, Damon Jones; Montreal Alouettes #75, Ed Philion; Montreal Impact Captain # 20, Mauro Biello; Montreal Canadiens All-Star player #44, Sheldon Souray and of course the Children’s Hospital mascot: Caramel. This year, two former Montreal Children’s Hospital heart patients will serve as our official spokespersons and Tony Marinaro from THE TEAM 990, whose nephew was born with a heart defect, will be the emcee.

During Valentine’s Week each student with a healthy heart is asked to bring a small donation to help a child with a «broken heart » while wearing a red garment to show their friendship towards children with more fragile hearts. The Heart of Life Fund is encouraging a pedagogical approach by tying their efforts together with the schools to publicize Heart Week and educate kids on healthy lifestyles through the Physical Education Department and Homeroom Teachers.    

One in 100 children is born with a heart defect. This rate is 10 times higher than for any other childhood illness. Funds collected during Heart Week will enable the Cardiology Department at the Montreal Children's Hospital to purchase state-of-the-art equipment.

Contact: Mario Bentrovato
Phone:
514-910-8935