Educate. Empower. Give.
Project Heart is an Ontario-based not-for-profit and privateer cycling program that blends high-performance sport with heart health advocacy.
Born from a personal journey through open-heart surgery and back to elite-level racing, Project Heart exists to educate active communities about cardiovascular health, empower heart patients to stay connected to the sports they love, and give through advocacy and lived experience.
Every ride, race, and story shared is a chance to remind athletes that strength starts with awareness - and that heart health belongs in every training plan.
Cody’s Heart Story
In 2021, Cody was diagnosed with an ascending aortic aneurysm after a routine chest X-ray incidentally revealed an abnormality in his heart. As a 29-year-old competitive cyclist, he was unaware of aortic aneurysms and the risks they posed - until he suddenly had to confront the life-threatening reality of one. Training and racing were immediately put on hold as specialists assessed the extent of the condition and planned the next steps.
In December 2022, Cody underwent open-heart surgery to remove the aneurysm and replace the affected section of his aorta with a synthetic graft. Six weeks later, he was back on the bike, and by the three-month mark, he returned to structured training. In May 2023, Cody lined up for his first race since diagnosis – a milestone that represented not just a comeback, but the start of a journey that would eventually grow into Project Heart, created to turn his experience into purpose through education, advocacy, and connection.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
Project Heart is built on connection- between athletes, families, and anyone impacted by heart disease. Whether you’re interested in merchandise, supporting the mission, exploring a partnership, or sharing your story, we’d love to hear from you.