Nahla Abdelhamid: running with heart

Nahla Abdelhamid is the director of business development at Engel & Völkers – Benoit Sansoucy and a member of the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation’s Emerging Leaders Committee. She embodies a genuine commitment to heart health that is fuelled by personal experience and a profound sense of gratitude. She also firmly believes that giving back amounts to more than a one-time gesture. It is an ongoing journey focused on building something great. 

“I set out this year to do more than simply give money. I wanted to give my time and energy... I wanted to do something significant,” she said.  

That “something” turned out to be a challenge that is both physical and emotional: on September 21, she will be running the half-marathon at the Marathon Beneva de Montréal. 

Her dedication is rooted in the memory of her father's quadruple bypass surgery at the MHI several years ago. Despite how upsetting the experience was, she was profoundly moved by the humanity of it all. 

“My parents had seven children so there was a small army of us at the hospital every day. We never felt unwelcome. The staff always greeted us with warmth, making every visit feel special.” 

Nahla has been providing updates on her journey to her half-marathon for the past several months. All with a healthy dose of humour and authenticity. With her trainer Yannick Lapierre by her side, she shares the highs, the lows, the aches, and the wins. 

“I’m not an elite athlete. I’m just a girl with a goal. If I can do it, others can too.” 

In fact, for the past four years, Nahla and her spouse Benoit have been co-ambassadors of the 6AM Club Brossard. Their objective is to mobilize an inclusive community of runners who meet weekly to share in the enjoyment of staying active and pushing their personal limits as a group. Proof of her love of sport and healthy living that she now channels into a series of initiatives to raise funds for charities. 

The half-marathon is only the beginning. In September, she will be organizing a fundraiser in collaboration with VibeCycle for an event that combines spinning classes and HIIT. All proceeds will go to the Foundation. In November, she will be working with Shaka Club, a Montreal-based smoothie bar, to create an exclusive product, with a portion of the sales going to the Foundation. 

“I’m at a point in my life where I want to give back. I’ve had that opportunity with my father. And I want other families to be able to do the same,” she said.   

Nahla hopes to inspire her community, shed light on the importance of philanthropy, and emphasize the impact that even the smallest gestures can have. 

Want to support her? Donate to her fundraiser for the half-marathon. No matter how big or small, every donation supports the Foundation and allows other families to obtain the same human-centric care Nahla’s father received.

Watch Nahla speak about the experience.