A True Story:
Emily was in Trouble. . . .
At the age of 63 she had lost her job and found herself having to take a part-time job with no healthcare benefits. To make matters worse she had been experiencing chest pain but could not afford to see a physician.
Thanks to the Fox Valley Heart Foundation, her luck was about to change. Emily took advantage of a free heart risk screening sponsored by the Foundation. During her conversation with the nurse regarding her cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk, she admitted that she had been experiencing symptoms of heart disease.
Understanding Emily’s level of risk for a heart attack, the nurse provided her with vital information on the warning signs and symptoms of heart attack and gave her several community healthcare options that might help her through this difficult time.
Through a local research study she received no cost diagnostic testing and a physical exam which confirmed that she did indeed have heart disease and would need intervention.
Emily’s heart disease couldn’t wait until she had healthcare coverage. She needed help now. Luckily, Emily received heart by-pass through a local hospital and is able to tell her story. Emily realizes that if she had not had the opportunity for the free cardiovascular risk screening her story ending may have been very different.
2010 Fox Valley Heart Foundation Initiatives
Become a regular sponsor and help sustain our communities’ heart health and survival. Here's how we put your dollars to work:
Heart Risk Profile and Screening Initiative: Since 2004, over 10,000 free heart risk profiles have been distributed to women in the community allowing them to initiate the first step in awareness and education regarding their personal heart health risk. The Foundation is extending this opportunity to both men and women in our community. Each completed profile is processed and a personal report is generated. To compliment this effort, cholesterol screenings are made available in the community.
Sponsorship of this program supports:
• Printing costs of risk profiles, educational bookmarks and heart disease handbooks
• Medical supply costs for screenings
• Maintenance costs of risk profile computer hardware and software
Cardiovascular Services for the Underserved: Fox Valley Heart Foundation works with local Federally Qualified Healthcare Providers to provide cardiovascular services for those less fortunate in our community. In 2009, the Foundation initiated a cardiovascular clinic allowing access to specialist consultation for the uninsured and underinsured population.
Sponsorship of this program supports:
• Medical supply costs
• Medical equipment costs
• Provider and clinic staff expenses
Fox Valley Heart Foundation Nursing Scholarships & Recognition:
We believe in empowering and encouraging local students to pursue healthcare careers. Given the right resources, these young adults can impact their lives, their families, and their communities in meaningful ways.
In this spirit, Fox Valley Heart Foundation has created the Women’s Heart Foundation Scholarships. Each year, $6000 is awarded to local nursing program recipients to help realize their nursing goals. In addition, each year the Foundation Recognition Award is presented to community members who show outstanding efforts in furthering our cause.
Sponsorship of this program supports:
• Four-$1500 scholarship awards
• Newspaper promotion and targeted mailing costs
• Recognition awards and plaques
Heart Sisters Education and Support Group: This empowered group of women heart disease survivors provides a relaxed, confidential outlet for women to share thoughts and feelings with other women coping with heart related issues. They are active in community education, reaching out to new heart patients in the hospital and raising awareness.
Sponsorship of this program supports:
• Graphic design and printing costs of Heart Sisters brochures, business cards, letterhead and new member note cards
• Heart Sisters Annual Picnic and Holiday Gathering
Annual Women's Heart Symposium: This annual event, now in its sixth year, attracts over 200 health care professionals, providing dialogue with some of the country’s leading experts on the most current issues related to heart disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. When necessary, it provides gender specific scientific information for healthcare providers to assure equality in the delivery of healthcare.
Sponsorship of this program supports:
• Printing costs of symposium syllabus, educational materials, and advertising
• Support of event venue rental space
• Support of audio-visual presentation costs
Foundation Website: Offering access to cardiovascular disease education and prevention information as well as a free personalized heart risk profile. The website provides links to nationally recognized heart disease prevention organizations as well as national guidelines for prevention and treatment.
Sponsorship of this program supports:
• Annual maintenance and hosting costs of risk profile computer hardware and software
• Foundation staff to assure current prevention and treatment data is available to website visitors
Healthy Living Traveling Educational Exhibit: Fox Valley Heart Foundation is developing a traveling Healthy Living exhibit to be displayed at a variety of community venues including local churches, schools, community organization, park district facilities, large retailers, and corporate sites.
Sponsorship of this program supports:
• Development costs including graphic designs and content of Healthy Living exhibit
• Trained staff to maximize visibility and provide personal interaction with our community on the importance of personal healthy lifestyle choices
• Resources for scheduling and set-up of exhibit on rotating schedule within our community