A $5 million donation is set to transform cardiovascular care for women in Southern Alberta, with the establishment of the Harold and Betty Allsopp Women's Cardiovascular Health Clinic at Calgary's South Health Campus. The clinic aims to provide specialized, multidisciplinary care to address heart conditions that disproportionately affect women, ultimately saving lives through prevention, early diagnosis, and coordinated treatment.
Philanthropic Vision Meets Community Need
The generous gift, facilitated through the Calgary Foundation, was directed to the Calgary Health Foundation by donors Harold and Betty Allsopp. Their vision was to fill a critical gap in women's healthcare, an area historically underfunded and overlooked. Paul Rossmann, President and CEO of Calgary Health Foundation, praised the Allsopps' progressive philanthropy, noting that their support for women's unique health needs helps build a more comprehensive healthcare system.
First-of-Its-Kind Clinic in Alberta
The new clinic will be the first in Alberta dedicated exclusively to women's cardiovascular health. It will offer team-based care tailored to conditions more prevalent or severe in women, such as microvascular disease and pregnancy-related heart issues. The facility will also provide specialized training for frontline physicians to better recognize risk factors and symptoms in women, and will engage in cutting-edge research to improve testing and treatment protocols.
Dr. Roopinder Sandhu, cardiac electrophysiologist and director of the clinic, emphasized the integrative approach: “The clinic will deliver multidisciplinary care, develop coordinated pathways with community cardiologists and primary care providers, and answer critical questions about women's heart health.” Eva Friesen, President and CEO of Calgary Foundation, highlighted the power of philanthropy meeting genuine need, stating that the Allsopps' commitment will have a lasting impact on the community.
Addressing a Historical Gap
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women globally, yet research and care have traditionally focused on men. The new clinic aims to close this disparity by offering specialized services that account for biological and social differences. Services will include advanced diagnostic testing, cardiac rehabilitation tailored for women, and support for conditions like spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) and peripartum cardiomyopathy.
The clinic is expected to serve thousands of women annually, improving outcomes and reducing the burden of heart disease in Southern Alberta. With this investment, the Allsopps have set a precedent for targeted philanthropy that addresses systemic healthcare inequities.
