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Ottawa Chapter

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Michel-Lloyd Kadji

Co-President

Hey, my name is Meech and I am currently a third year student at the University of Ottawa studying Health Sciences. I have been lucky enough to visit and live in many places, but none for longer than the 10 years (and counting) that I have spent in Ottawa, Canada. However, the experiences I gathered from the other 9 years living in Quebec and Nairobi, Kenya also play huge parts in allowing me to become who I am today. Many of these experiences made it important for me to value the life I live regardless of passing struggles, because many others are not fortunate enough to live as long and as comfortably as I have. The opportunity to wake up everyday is a blessing in itself, and this is what motivated me to join Heart 4 Heart. The idea of saving lives around the world, along with my lifelong interest in sciences and the human body made it an obvious choice to get involved with this charity.

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Adela Gottardi

Co-President

 

Hi! My name is Adela Gottardi, and I am in my 4th year of Translational and Molecular Medicine. I was born and raised in Ottawa. When I am not studying, I enjoy dancing, traveling, hiking, and forcing my friends to go skating in cold weather. What drew me to Heart4Heart was the opportunity to directly help children with congenital heart disease. We are fortunate to have access to life-saving medical treatments in Canada and with the help of the uOttawa community, I know we could provide life-saving medical procedures to children where this kind of access is not possible. I hope you can join us at the next H4H event!

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Georges

Co-President

Hi, my name is Georges, and I am currently a second year Master's student studying biomedical engineering at the University of Ottawa. I was born and raised here in Ottawa, and I wouldn't have it any other way. My hobbies include playing the piano and the violin, going out with friends, keeping up with sports, and watching (too many) shows. Next winter will mark my fourth year with Heart 4 heart, an amazing charity that I am very happy to help. There is no better feeling than knowing that you are helping others in need, and for that reason I am honored to have helped bring this charity to the University of Ottawa. I am proud to contribute and am looking forward to success with my team in helping children around the world.

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Elie Nehme

VP Treasurer

Hey! My name is Elie (pronounced Eli, why the "E" at the end? Couldn't tell you). Anyways, I'm Lebanese going into my second year studying a BSc in Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa. I enjoy playing sports, fitness, and playing the guitar. I was born and raised in Ontario and over 19 years later I have yet to even get slightly used to the bipolar weather patterns here. I'm very fascinated by human anatomy and the physiology behind our systems and fond of studying the field of Biomechanics and other mechanically related Biophysics. Heart diseases have affected many people in my family lineage (pretty grim transition I know), and having seen almost firsthand how heart problems have affected my closest family made me realize just how strong yet fragile the heart can really be. This is why when I was approached with the opportunity to join Heart4Heart I didn't hesitate to join. I'm privileged to have a healthy and functioning body and I'm very proud to contribute what I can to this organization. I'm especially excited to see the difference we can make to help children around the world who suffer from CHD.

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Caleb Lakhani

VP Social Media

Hi, my name is Caleb, and I am currently in my third year of Translational and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa. Outside of school, I love to play hockey and lacrosse, as well as hiking through Northern Ontario with my friends in the summer. I also enjoy reading and watching (lots of) TV, both of which have definitely helped to pass time during the COVID-19 pandemic. I decided to join Heart 4 Heart after learning about the Gift of Life International program, and the work that they do to help children with congenital heart disease that would otherwise not get the help that they need. As a part of Heart 4 Heart, we are having a direct impact on so many different children and communities who are not as fortunate as us, and helping to give them a better quality of life that they deserve. I am super excited to work with such a great team and hope that we can raise even more money and awareness for H4H & Gift of Life in the upcoming years!

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Chelsea Klein

VP Social Media

Hey! My name is Chelsea Klein, and I’m going into my 4th year of Biomedical Science at the University of Ottawa. I’m originally from Thunder Bay, Ontario but have lived in Ottawa for the past 8 years … and I still need a GPS wherever I go. In my free time, I like to dance, read, crochet, and walk my dog! I wanted to get involved with the uOttawa chapter of Heart 4 Heart after looking into their mission statement and the fundraising events being accomplished. It was inspiring to see all these efforts work toward a common goal of helping fund life-saving surgeries for children with CHD. I’m honored to be a part of this team and excited to contribute to this incredible cause!

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Samantha Johnson

VP Outreach

Hi! My name is Samantha and I’m a fourth year Biomedical Science student at the University of Ottawa. I was born in Ottawa and I have lived here my entire life. Some of my hobbies include spending time with my friends and family and reading. I joined Heart4Heart because I have been working with children as a camp counsellor and soccer coach for many years and I have seen the difference small acts such as a smile can make in a child’s life. Through Heart4Heart, we have the opportunity to make a bigger difference by contributing to an organization that is able to save the lives of so many children. I’m very excited to be able to directly help these children who are suffering from CHD to get the health care they need through this amazing organization!

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Armita Kalani

VP Outreach

Hello! My name is Armita Kalani and I am a third year student at the University of Ottawa studying Translational and Molecular Medicine. I am from Iran and recently immigrated to Canada so I am still integrating into the Canadian society and learning so much from my fellow Canadians every day (although still haven’t figured out how to play hockey)! I love gardening, baking and reading. Helping those in need has always been a passion of mine and in combination with my curiosity about the science behind the cardiovascular system, Heart4Heart became the perfect club to be involved in. Contributing to Heart4Heart saves a child’s life struggling with CHD, gives a shot to children to live healthy lives that many of us take for granted and brings hope to families who long to see their children grow. I am excited to see how much of an impact our team can make!

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Samuel Xiao

VP Graphics

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Venika Toor

VP Volunteer Coordinator

Hello! My name is Samuel Xiao, and I’m studying Biomedical Science as a third-year student at the University of Ottawa! I love to immerse myself in the arts, especially visual arts, so I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to help children with CHD by using my artistic passion as VP of Graphics! I also enjoy singing, dancing, swimming, practicing Taekwondo, and spending time with my family. I joined Heart4Heart because I believe that the right to life is the most fundamental; therefore, I am moved to witness how our collective efforts in the chapter strive to fund life-changing surgeries. Every breath shouldn’t be a struggle, which is why we must wholeheartedly ensure equal access to medical treatment for everyone. Being part of such a talented team with one goal in mind assures us that together, we truly can make life better for every child one step at a time.

Hi! My name is Venika Toor and I am a third year student in the Health Sciences program at the University of Ottawa. I like to watch movies, paint, and read during my spare time. I joined Heart4Heart because after learning about Heart4Heart’s mission to save children lives, I wanted to help support and raise awareness for this great cause. I hope to make a help with this great team to make a difference in the community and raise awareness about congenital heart disease. 

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Taylor Carson

Executive Member

Hi! My name is Taylor Carson and I’m a fourth year student in Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa. Outside of school, I love watching and playing sports, especially hockey and baseball, working out, and listening to music. I’m a die hard Leafs and Sens fan which doesn’t make sense to many people, but I love seeing the reactions every time I mention it to someone. I joined Heart4Heart because I wanted to be able to help make a difference in the lives of kids with CHD, and their families. By working with a team of other dedicated and passionate individuals, we can no doubt help make that difference in the lives of these children suffering from CHD, and I’m very excited to be a part of this great initiative.

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Mariana

Executive Member

Hi! My name is Mariana, and I am a fourth-year student at the University of Ottawa studying Biology. During my free time you can find me spending time with family and friends, or out in nature! After learning about the mission behind Heart4Heart I was eager to join a team of like minded individuals wanting to make a positive impact and raise awareness within the uOttawa community. I am excited to work with the team, bringing our skills together, towards a common goal.

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