The University of Ottawa Heart Institute’s 13th Telethon held on February 7 raised a record $3.86 million. Close to 1,000 volunteers took part in the telethon, which marked the end of an era with the upcoming retirement of the heart institute’s founder and current CEO, Dr. Wilbert Keon.
Money raised will be used to renovate and expand the institute’s reference centre, purchase patient care equipment, provide public education and training, and research the causes of and cures for heart disease.
Dr. Keon’s outstanding contribution was recognized throughout the 11-hour broadcast. Earlier in the week he was featured in the “Home Town Heroes” column of the Ottawa Sun.
Dr. Keon oversaw the evolution of the heart institute from a dream to one of the finest institutions of its kind in the world. During the course of his career he performed over 10,000 open-heart surgeries, His reputation and commitment helped attract many outstanding researchers, whose work has far-ranging impact on the quality of health of Canadians.
