(Image Credit: Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation-Facebook)

By Haven Thibert

Bringing Hearts Home Campaign

Local Lethbridge family donates $250,000 to cardiac care campaign

Mar 16, 2026 | 5:05 PM

A local Lethbridge family, Bart and Cynthia Davies, have donated $250,000 to the Bringing Hearts Home Campaign, a fundraising initiative led by the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation (CRHF).

The campaign aims to expand local cardiac services, including a new cardiac catheterization lab at Chinook Regional Hospital.

According to CRHF, the new lab is expected to serve up to 1,700 patients annually and improve access to cardiac treatment within the region.

“Heart disease remains the number one killer globally, and cardiac disease numbers continue to rise each year. We’re proud to support this campaign and help Lethbridge and the surrounding region receive local treatment and improved cardiac health outcomes,” said Bart Davies.

CRHF says the donation aligns with the 2026 Alberta Budget, in which the provincial government announced funding to expand cardiac and intensive care capacity in southern Alberta.

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While government funding will provide the clinical infrastructure, hospital officials say community donations are essential to equip the lab with advanced technology and diagnostic equipment.

“This project will fundamentally change how cardiac care is delivered in southern Alberta,” said Dr. Sayeh Zielke, Physician Lead for Cardiac Services in the South Zone.

“Patients can be diagnosed sooner, treated faster, and often stay closer to home instead of being transferred to Calgary.”

Crystal Elliott, CEO of the CRHF, noted that philanthropy remains important to ensure the campaign reaches its goals.

“The generosity of donors like Bart and Cynthia Davies brings us closer to a future where patients across southern Alberta can access life-saving cardiac care close to home,” Elliott said.

The Bringing Hearts Home Campaign continues to seek donations from the southern Alberta community to support the expansion and enhancement of cardiac care services.