What is
Project Heart
Project Heart is a movement intended to raise awareness about the range of conditions that can impact the heart and encourage the adoption of heart-healthy habits.
Started in 2023 as a grassroots project, Project Heart uses the bicycle as a tool by which to examine the relationship between an athlete and the heart. It is a storytelling platform that humanizes the impact a heart-related diagnosis can have on an athletic identity, while also demonstrating the resilience of the human body and spirit.
Project Heart works closely with the University of Ottawa Heart Institute & Heart Institute Foundation to ensure that Canada’s largest cardiac centre continues to deliver world-class patient care, engage in innovative ground-breaking research, and train the next generation of talent for cardiac care.
Cody’s Heart Story
In 2021, Cody was diagnosed with an ascending aortic aneurysm, after a chest x-ray incidentally found an anomaly with my heart. As a 29-year-old competitive athlete, he was completely unaware of aortic aneurysms and the risks they posed, but quickly realized the life-threatening gravity of the situation he was in. Cody’s ability to train and race, let alone ride recreationally was placed on an indefinite hold as more information was gathered.
In December of 2022, Cody underwent open-heart surgery to have the aneurysm removed and replaced with a synthetic graft. Six weeks following the surgery he was back on the bike, and at the three-month mark, returned to structured training. In May of 2023, Cody returned to the racing circuit.
Heart Month 2024 Recap
Thank you to all those who supported Project Heart during Heart Month.
Through various fundraising efforts, Project Heart raised
over $7,800.00 for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute,
with donations matched by University of Ottawa Heart
Institute Foundation partners and sponsors!