About Our Campaign
The Dr. Robert Gros HeartSafe Fund
Honouring a Life. Creating a Legacy. Saving Lives.
On April 27, 2026, Dr. Robert Gros passed away after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 58. Rob was a devoted husband, loving father, valued colleague, trusted mentor, loyal friend, and someone people naturally turned to for advice, encouragement, or simply a warm conversation.
Throughout his career at the Robarts Research Institute and Western University, Rob dedicated his life to advancing cardiovascular research. Supported by numerous granting agencies and research partners, his groundbreaking work advanced our understanding of heart health and contributed to discoveries that continue to improve and save lives today. His exceptional leadership and contributions to cardiovascular research were recognized with numerous honours, including the King Charles III Coronation Medal, awarded through the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
While Rob's scientific accomplishments were remarkable, those who knew him remember something even greater: his kindness. Rob is consistently described as generous, humble, compassionate, and always willing to help. His infectious smile, quick wit, and genuine interest in others left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Above all, Rob was a devoted husband to Michelle and a proud father to Julia, Ben, and Avery. His legacy lives on not only through his research but through the countless lives he touched.
To honour Rob's life and legacy, we are launching The Dr. Robert Gros HeartSafe Fund.
Our goal is to install publicly accessible SaveStation Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) across Western University. These emergency response stations will serve as a lasting tribute to Rob while helping protect students, staff, faculty, visitors, and the broader community.
A sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere. When it does, every second counts. An AED can mean the difference between life and death, and every minute without defibrillation significantly reduces the chance of survival.
Our fundraising goal is $19,899, which will fund an outdoor SaveStation at Western Alumni Stadium, the highest-priority location identified by Campus Safety & Emergency Services. Any additional funds raised will support three more SaveStations at the Robarts Research Institute (indoor and outdoor) and Animal Care & Veterinary Services, further strengthening emergency preparedness across campus.
Rob's family have been involved throughout the planning of this initiative and believes it reflects both Rob's lifelong commitment to cardiovascular research and the compassion, generosity, and service that defined his life.
We hope to complete this campaign and unveil the first SaveStation on September 23, 2026 - what would have been Rob's 59th birthday. We can think of no more meaningful way to celebrate his life than by creating a legacy with the potential to save lives for generations to come.
Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to making Western University a safer place while honouring an extraordinary husband, father, scientist, mentor, colleague, and friend.
Please join us in celebrating Rob's remarkable legacy. Together, we can honour a life dedicated to improving heart health - and help save the next one.
With gratitude,
Deborah, Angela and Caroline
My Updates
THANK YOU!!!
We did it, and then some! Thanks to your incredible generosity and support, we not only met our fundraising target for The Dr. Robert Gros HeartSafe Fund, but we also surpassed our goal in just three weeks. That kind of momentum is a real testament to the love and respect so many people feel for Rob.
Every donation, share, and encouraging message helped make this possible. Your support will have a real, lasting impact, helping us build a safer, more heart-safe community on campus at Western.
On behalf of everyone involved, thank you for believing in this cause and for showing what’s possible when people come together. We appreciate you more than words can say!
With heartfelt gratitude,
Deborah, Angela and Caroline.
Campaign Update: We’re So Close — Let’s Finish What We Started! We are just $3,260 away!
It’s been two weeks since we launched The Dr. Robert Gros HeartSafe Fund, and we are so grateful for the support you’ve shown. Thanks to your generosity, we’re just $3,260 away from reaching our $24,585 goal.
From the start, our vision has been to install an outdoor SaveStation AED tower at Alumni Stadium and both an indoor and outdoor AED at Robarts Research Institute. Robarts was a place Dr. Gros cared deeply about — a space where he spent many years advancing research and mentoring others. Installing AEDs here is especially meaningful for all of us who knew how much this place meant to him.
We’re also excited to be adding a fourth AED at Animal Care & Veterinary Services (ACVS), where Dr. Gros most recently served as Executive Director.
Your donations are making all of this possible. Every gift, share, and word of encouragement brings us closer to ensuring these life-saving devices are available across our campus community.
https://crowdfunding.savestation.ca/fundraisers/deborahandersen
We’re almost there. If you haven’t had a chance to donate
or share the campaign, now is the perfect time to help us reach the finish
line.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Deborah, Angela & Caroline
Campaign Update: Your Support Is Growing This Legacy
When we launched The Dr. Robert Gros HeartSafe Fund, our goal was to install an outdoor SaveStation AED tower at Alumni Stadium, our highest-priority location, where it can have the greatest impact. We also planned to install an indoor and outdoor AED at Robarts Research Institute, a place that held special meaning for Dr. Gros and where his legacy continues to inspire.
Because of your incredible generosity, we are well on our way to achieving that vision. Your support has created an opportunity to do even more.
We are excited to announce that we are expanding the initiative to include a fourth AED at Animal Care & Veterinary Services (ACVS), where Dr. Gros proudly served as Executive Director from 2022 to 2026.
To make this possible, we have increased our fundraising goal to $24,585.38, reflecting the full cost of purchasing, installing, and implementing all four AEDs.
This expansion means that even more members of our Western community will have access to life-saving equipment when every second counts. More importantly, it extends Dr. Gros' commitment to caring for others and creates an even greater legacy in his honour.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who has donated, shared our campaign, and encouraged others to get involved. Your generosity has already made an extraordinary impact, and with your continued support, we can bring this expanded vision to life.
Thank you for helping us build a lasting legacy that will save lives for years to come.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Deborah, Angela & Caroline
Campaign Update: Over Halfway There in Just 72 Hours! ❤️
We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support shown over the past few days.
In just 72 hours, together we have raised $10,313 toward our goal of $19,899 to establish the Dr. Rob Gros HeartSafe Fund SaveStation at Western Alumni Stadium.
Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared our campaign, and helped spread the word. Your generosity is a beautiful reflection of the impact Rob had on so many lives. ❤️
While we’re thrilled by this incredible start, we’re not there yet. We still have $9,586 to raise to reach our initial goal and ensure these SaveStations become a reality.
If you’ve already donated, THANK YOU! One of the most meaningful ways you can continue to help is by sharing this campaign with your family, friends, colleagues, and networks. Every share expands our reach, and every donation large or small brings us closer to creating a lasting tribute to Rob.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Deborah, Angela & Caroline
Thank you to my Sponsors
$100
Jue Fan
$50
Josh Tam
$10
Anonymous
$50
Shawn Davis
$50
Anonymous
$100
Steven Kerfoot
$200
Barb & Dennis Dean And Family
$200
Nancy Schmidt
What an amazing way to honour Rob and his family Michelle, Julia, Ben & Avery!
$75
Beattie Family
$100
John Mccormick
$50
Rylee Brownrigg
$100
Anonymous
$25
Roberta Bgeginski
$100
Nicole Emery
Such a wonderful tribute to Rob.
$50
David Carter
$100
Adam Mcintyre
$100
Peter Chidiac
Rob was one of a kind. Happy to contribute to this and keep his memory alive.
$100
Mofei
$250
Michael Rieder
$50
Anonymous
$100
Paulina Kowalewska
$100
Susan Tyler And Matthew Fox
$1,000
Rob Hegele
$50
The Fichter’s
$100
Gregory Dekaban
I have known and worked with Rob Gros since he was a graduate student. I miss seeing him and talking with him as he frequently passed by my lab.
$50
Rachel Drummond
$100
Craig Railton
$500
Melanie Cutler And Les Toth
$100
Anonymous
$40
Vanessa Dumeaux
$50
Steve Renaud
$100
Amy Burke
$100
Jennifer Teal
$50
Anonymous
$500
Michael Boffa & Marlys Koschinsky
Happy to donate to this great cause in honour of Rob.
$100
Rob Thompson
$100
Ang
$25
Sydney Snider
$62
The Brownrigg Family
$1,000
Davy Cheng
$250
Anonymous
$60
Parraga Lab
$50
Shelley Balderston
$50
Pam Nixon
It was an honor to work with Rob at ACVS, my fellow Dutchie :)
$50
Brooke Kennedy
$25
Anonymous
$25
Carlos Jorge German
$25
Anonymous
My deepest condolences to the family, loved ones and colleagues for Rob’s loss. I am still reeling from the news. I met him at Robart’s back in 2003 and I always remember him as the nicest person and a great researcher.
$1,000
Philip Jones
$50
A. Tilgner
$20
Anonymous
$100
Blake Butler
$25
Anonymous
Very good cause!
$100
Ravi Menon
I miss you Rob
$25
Meg Rook
$250
Christopher Ellis
Thank you for organizing this fundraising campaign to honour Rob.
$10
Robin Konzelman
I remember working with Rob while working at Robarts Research Institute and again working at Schulich at Western University. I am so sad to hear this news, but am more than happy to be able to contribute to such a great initiative.
$100
Rodney Dekoter
$250
Rachel Vistein
$50
Sonya Hui
$50
Anonymous
$250
Donald Maurice
Please thank Caroline for informing me of this tribute to Rob.
$100
Jodi Dutz
$100
Rachel Kelly
$250
Jeffrey Granton
$50
Mike Andersen
$200
Danijela & Jelena Jelich
Sounds like Dr. Robert Gros was an amazing man who was respected by many. Beautiful way to honour him.❤️
$1,000
Department Of Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine
$250
Jeff And Nikki Brock
What a beautiful way to honour a man who did so much for others.
$100
Cheryle Seguin
$250
Grace Parraga
$100
Catherine Petersen
$250
Jane Rylett
$100
Chris & Michelle Gratton
$100
Brad Urquhart
$1,000
Marco And Vania Prado
$250
Karen Judson
$100
Lauren Flynn
$25
Val
Such a loss, for me and, probably, everyone who knew him. Thank you for this initiative.
$25
Sanda Raulic
$100
Caroline O'neil
Thanks Deb for this initiative!!!!
$300
Doris Lambert
$100
Richard Kim
$50
Aja Hogan-cann
$50
B. W.
Proud of you. Rob would be too. Thank you in advance for future lives you’ll potentially help save.
$30
Devyn Beattie
$50
Anonymous
$25
Anonymous
$100
Tom Appleton
$100
Eric Van Der Veer
Rob was a kind and caring (fellow Dutchie) who I loved working together at Robarts with for 7 years. He will always be in my heart!
$25
Eric Vandeven
$50
Maria Sinacori
Wonderful Initiative!
$25
Tania Chinfatt
Thank you!
$250
Corrie John Van Heeswyk
Thank you for honoring Rob
$50
Mary Ann Pm
Wonderful initiative in memory of Rob.
$25
Anonymous
$100
Dawn Bryce
$10
Xin Zhao
$65
Deborah Andersen
I hope you're smiling down on this initiative in your memory. Deb
$100
Kim Thomaes
What a fantastic tribute to a wonderful man with a brilliant vision. Thank you all so much!!!
$500
Aleks Leligdowicz And Mark Chandy
$50
Dawn T
Wonderful cause. Wonderful man!
$25
Anonymous
$100
Wataru Inoue
$1,000
Michelle, Julia, Ben And Avery Gros
Thank you for honouring our wonderful husband and dad in such a meaningful way.
$100
Erin Mulvihill
$200
Hao Yin
$100
Rommel Tirona
$150
Joshua Samsoondar
Very sad to learn of this. Working with Dr. Gros was always a joy.
$50
Martin Duennwald
$75
Kyle K
$100
Elena Tutunea-fatan
$100
Anonymous
$100
Maria Drangova
$100
Tara M
$200
Stephen Pasternak
$100
Mike And Angela Brodie
$25
Rachel Lackie
$200
Stephen Ferguson
$50
Anonymous
$500
Geoff Pickering
$10
Anonymous
$100
Katherine Kasper
$250
Nong
$25
Anonymous
Hi Boss, this one's for you <3
$50
Cindy Richardson
$20
Kelly Mcmahon
Hope this helps!!
$100
Emily Day
$100
Alison Allan
$50
Angrla
$250
Kathryn Volkening
$25
Anonymous
$500
Ross Feldman
$100
Chris Harding
$100
Benda Gallaway
$25
Michelle Kim
$50
Angela Cardenas
Thank you, Deb. I’m sure Rob would have been very happy and proud of this initiative.
$1,000
Mansoor Husain
I am obviously hearing about this very late and am simply heartbroken. Rob was my first ever post-doctoral trainee and he set the standard. Beyond, his exemplary love of science, he was a kind, supportive and wonderful colleague and friend. My deepest condolences.
$50
Kevin Bulmer
$25
Alex Easton
$50
Makayla Emery
$325
Matthew Mailing Centre - University Hospital
What a great initiative and legacy in honour of Rob. With respect and fondness, the Matthew Mailing Centre Team
$50
Anonymous
$50
Annie Morin
$100
Marc Servant
J'ai appris récemment le décès de Robert et je suis encore sous le choc. Je garde le souvenir des moments très agréables lors de nos multiples congrès. Repose en paix mon ami.
$250
Dave Muir
$100
Kristine Marmai
$100
Angela Wilson
$10
Anonymous
$50
Anonymous
$25
Cole P
$250
Rob Bartha
$144
Lili
Amazing initiative, thank you Deb!
$50
Ilda Moniz
$50
Rebecca Nash
Such a great idea!
$25
Anonymous
$250
Tim Bussey And Lisa Saksida
$50
Hailey
This is such an amazing initiative.
$25
John-michael Arpino
$50
Brittney Cox
$100
August Craanen
$50
Jody Culham
I didn't know Rob but this is a great initiative.
$144
Miguel Pena
$100
Crystal Mclellan
$10
Yicheng Gu
$100
Sharlene Ruiz
In memory of Rob who made a lasting impact professionally and personally ❤️
$25
Anonymous
$50
Galina Mironova
$25
Anonymous
$250
Steve Gryn
$100
Rhian Touyz
In memory of a great man- Rob
$20
Salim Rocha
$100
Anonymous
$100
Krishna Singh
Thanks!
$500
Michael & Wendy Strong
What a terrific way to remember Rob. I am sure that he is looking down on this and really pleased.
$250
Angelique Berg
Thank you for contacting me. Honoured to have known Rob, his love for his family, and the way he brightened every day, always. Adieu, Boss.
$50
Anonymous
Great idea.
$200
Elizabeth Finger
$250
Stephen Dukacz
What a great tribute to Rob
$100
