New Partnership Good for the Hearts of BC Women
Vancouver, February 25, 2009 — The Providence Heart + Lung Institute at St. Paul's Hospital (HLI) is joining the Heart and Stroke Foundation's The Heart Truth campaign. The new HLI partnership in this important national women's heart health initiative is made possible by contributions from St. Paul's Hospital Foundation and Providence Health Care.
The Heart Truth campaign, a national public health education campaign launched by The Heart and Stroke Foundation, is designed to increase awareness around women’s risk of heart disease and stroke and empower women to take action to protect their heart health. Heart disease and stroke are the leading cause of death for Canadian women and their most serious health concern, but most don’t know it.
“Looking for better ways to help British Columbians understand their risk of heart disease and finding new solutions for managing the risk factors for cardiovascular disease are important components of the care and research within the Heart and Lung Institute,” says Dianne Doyle, President & CEO of Providence Health Care. “This is very much in line with the Heart Truth goals of helping women learn more about heart disease and take the necessary steps to minimize their risk of developing it.”
Heart and Stroke Foundation of B.C. & Yukon President and CEO Bobbe Wood is pleased that the HLI has joined the campaign. “We are delighted to have the Heart and Lung Institute at St. Paul's as a sponsor of The Heart Truth campaign. We will advance our outreach to women, share The Heart Truth message and work together to improve the heart health of women and their families. It is our privilege to work with St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation and Providence Health Care on this important initiative,” she says.
As a cardiologist, Dr. Andrew Ignaszewski, Division Head of Cardiology at St. Paul’s Hospital/Providence Health Care and leader of the hospital’s Healthy Heart Program, often sees women who are unaware of their risk until they are showing outward symptoms of cardiovascular damage or suffer a heart attack.
“Women tend to believe that heart disease is a ‘man’s disease’”, explains Ignaszewski. “Women are actually more likely than men to die of a heart attack or stroke. My colleagues and I asked St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation and Providence Health Care to join us in supporting The Heart Truth campaign. The cardiologists have made personal contributions because we feel so strongly that education and information can save women’s lives. “
“Our donors have supported many outstanding heart-related projects over the years,” says Stephen Shapiro, President & CEO of St. Paul's Hospital Foundation. “We are very pleased be working with our great partner the Heart and Stroke Foundation on this important campaign for women's heart health. “
The Heart Truth Campaign
The Heart Truth campaign aims to raise awareness among women of ways to reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke, and give them the tools they need to protect themselves. The Heart Truth was established in 2008 and is supported by founding sponsor Becel, and contributing sponsors, Dempster’s, Ocean Spray, Pfizer Canada Inc., Rogers Consumer Publishing and Shoppers Drug Mart. Information about The Heart Truth campaign can be obtained at www.thehearttruth.ca.
Providence Heart + Lung Institute at St. Paul’s Hospital
Providence is renowned as an academic health science leader, operating one of two teaching hospitals in the province and performing cutting edge research in more than 30 clinical specialties. The only organization of its kind in Canada, the Providence Heart + Lung Institute at St. Paul's Hospital unites all of Providence Health Care's heart and lung research, education and care programs under one umbrella. Home of the provincial heart centre, the Institute’s cardiac program provides a full spectrum of care for patients with critical heart failure – from medications, to heart transplant and rehabilitation. For more information, visit www.heartandlung.ca.
For more information, photos or to arrange interviews please contact:
Leah Lockhart
Providence Health Care
llockhart@providencehealth.bc.ca
Tel: 604-806-8882
Media Pager: 604-252-4261
Susan Pinton
Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon
spinton@hsf.bc.ca
Tel: 604-737-3420
