Our Mission

The First Open Heart Society Of British Columbia is an independent registered charitable non-profit organization dedicated to the support of open heart surgery patients and their families. The society is not affiliated with, or supported by, any other heart organization. The 500 member society is comprised of patients who have under-gone open heart surgery, their spouses and other immediate family members, as well as doctors, nurses and other medical staff involved with the open heart surgery program. The society was formed in 1973 on the initiative of cardiologists and early heart surgery patients to function as a support group for patients awaiting and recovering from heart surgery, and their families. Pre-op and post-op trauma for heart patients about to undergo surgery and their families is eased by talking to those who have also "walked the path".