William Osler Health System’s (Osler) cardiology team performs over 5,000 cardiac procedures annually, including more than 1,500 angioplasties, making it one of the busiest programs in Ontario. These procedures save lives every day, using cutting-edge techniques to treat patients with coronary artery disease by unblocking arteries and restoring vital blood flow to the heart.

At the heart of this life-saving work is an unassuming yet extraordinary tool: the stent. This tiny metal mesh coil may be small, but its impact is enormous. Acting like “chicken wire,” a stent reinforces and holds arteries open, creating a clear pathway for blood to flow freely to the heart.

What makes stents even more remarkable is their evolution. Many modern stents are coated with medication that prevents scar tissue from forming inside the artery. This coating significantly reduces the risk of the artery narrowing again, meaning patients can enjoy healthier, longer lives without repeated interventions. For some patients, stents have transformed what could be a lifelong battle with heart disease into a condition that’s manageable, giving them back their quality of life.

Every time a stent is deployed, it’s a race against time. In emergency situations, such as heart attacks, a stent can mean the difference between survival and irreversible heart damage. Imagine a loved one’s life being saved by this tiny device—no bigger than a pen spring—expertly placed by a skilled cardiology team in a critical moment.

Osler handles a disproportionately high percentage of out of hospital cardiac arrests provincially. As demand continues to grow, Osler’s cardiology department is urgently expanding its capacity. To meet this need, Osler is building a third Cardiac Catheterization Lab (Cath Lab)—but we can’t do it without your support.

Give from the heart and be part of this critical effort to save lives.