New tourney to help Bringing Hearts Home campaign

By Lethbridge Herald on July 17, 2025.

LETHBRIDGE HERALD

A new tournament to raise funds for the Bringing Hearts Home campaign will be staged at Paradise Canyon  Golf Resort in 2026.

The Hearts & Health Classic will be staged at Paradise Canyon as a fundraiser for Cardiac Centre of Excellence which will improve access to life-saving cardiac dare for families throughout southern Alberta.
The Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation is organizing the tournament in partnership with Paradise Canyon.

After three decades of generosity, camaraderie, and community spirit, the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation has extended it heartfelt thanks to the organizers, sponsors, and volunteers of the Val Matteotti Italian Open, which has officially come to a close after 30 impactful years.

Since its inception, the Italian Open raised more than $1.7 million in support of health care in southern Alberta — funds that have helped advance patient care, support community health programs, and purchase life-saving equipment at Chinook Regional Hospital.

With the conclusion of the Italian Open, the Foundation says it iis proud to carry forward this legacy through a new event.

“The Italian Open leaves behind a remarkable legacy, and we are so grateful to the volunteer committee for their years of dedication and passion,” says Crystal Elliott, CEO of the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation. 

“The Hearts & Health Classic is an exciting next chapter — one that will continue our community impact in support of Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation.” 

The Hearts & Health Classic will debut on Aug. 26, 2026, in partnership with t Paradise Canyon Golf Resort.

 The inaugural tournament will benefit the Bringing Hearts Home campaign, a $30 million initiative to establish a Cardiac Centre of Excellence.

The foundation offered special thanks to Joyce and Ron Sakamoto -one of the honourary co-chairs of the Cardiac Sciences Advisory Cabinet, for their visionary support in helping make this new partnership possible. 

“Joyce and I feel the catheterization lab is so vitally needed for the people of Southern Alberta,” says Ron Sakamoto.

 “So many people are affected by heart disease, and I know that precious lives could be saved by quicker treatment — without the delay of traveling to Calgary. Sadly, many people don’t make it in time.” 

“Events like these are a meaningful way to bring the community together in support of local health care,” adds Elliott. 

“Every contribution helps deliver care for every generation, creates real impact for real lives, and drives excellence in action.” 

The foundation is currently recruiting volunteer committee members to help shape this exciting new event. Those interested in joining the planning committee or learning more can contact Lana Walsh at lana.walsh@ahs.ca.

For updates and event details, visit http://www.crhfoundation.ca.