THE HEART BEHIND THE MUSTACHE “I think he’s looking now to see how he can give back,” Ardell told SportsNet in a March 2024 interview, a month after her husband’s cardiac arrest. And she was right. The Hockey Hall of Famer, hockey executive, humanitarian, and family man is searching for ways to repay his good fortune, starting with raising awareness for cardiac care in Calgary. “It’s important for all of us to give back,” encourages McDonald. “In my case, having gone through everything I have, you realize how fortunate you are to be given a second chance. If you can help one more person, then you’ve done a good deed. And I had so many good deeds done to help me get better.” Not all icons would be as benevolent; a fact not lost on those whose work will be positively impacted by his advocacy. “Lanny’s graciousness in sharing his stage to build heart health awareness is another example of his kindness,” says Har. “His generosity will ensure a critically needed diagnostic tool will remain available to our community — one that will directly improve patient outcomes and empower more people to live longer, healthier lives.” Smith adds that through collective effort, spurred on by a terrible thing that happened to McDonald, we can maintain the city’s first-class healthcare. “Lanny’s story is extraordinary, and it represents what many other families go through when faced with a medical emergency,” she says. “Donor funding is essential for providing excellent care to the cardiac patients we serve, and is very appreciated by everyone who works within the healthcare system.” When reflecting on what we can learn from his brush with death, McDonald has this wisdom to impart: “No one believes they’re going to be the next one. I was walking four to five miles a day, thinking I was in great shape, until I went down face-first at the airport. You think you’re fine until reality sneaks up and hits you like a sledgehammer. “If you have the opportunity to give back and donate, you should because you never know, it might be someone in your family next. You’ll be so happy knowing you’ve played a part in their care.”
Behind the scenes with McDonald during the photo shoot.
hockey legend. “More importantly, we take our healthcare for granted. Then suddenly you need it, and you realize how lucky you are to have access to the kinds of qualified people like the ones we have in Calgary.” Since his health scare, time has taken on a new meaning for McDonald. He confesses that in quiet moments, he catches himself timing 11-and-a-half minutes. “It feels like a lifetime,” McDonald says. “I look back and realize how fortunate I am to be able to sit here with Ardell and spoil our kids and grandkids. I feel like the luckiest guy you could imagine.”
13
Help more patients like Lanny make their own comeback. Scan the code
to donate today to the Catherization Redevelopment Project and other cardiac care initiatives.
ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES “We take our health for granted,” states the
Breakthroughs [ Fall 2025 ]
Powered by FlippingBook