AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation Announces Its Newest Program - Connections for Cardiovascular Health(SM)

WILMINGTON, Del., April 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation announced today it received a $25 million charitable contribution from AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) for Connections for Cardiovascular Health(SM), its newest program with the mission of improving cardiovascular health in the United States.

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091027/PH99766LOGO )

Under the Connections for Cardiovascular Health program, grants of $150,000 and up will be awarded to US-based, nonprofit organizations that are doing innovative work in the field of cardiovascular health.  Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in the United States.(1)

"There remains a great need to support innovative programs to improve cardiovascular health," said James W. Blasetto, MD, MPH, FACC and chairman of the AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation.  "At AstraZeneca, we believe that to make a difference and help patients live healthier lives, we need to form connections with those who are working to address cardiovascular healthcare needs in the community and improve quality of life for patients and caregivers."

Nonprofit organizations requesting Foundation grants should be engaged in work that supports the mission of the Foundation's program, by helping to:

• Address patient cardiovascular health issues

• Recognize and work to address an unmet need related to cardiovascular health in the community

• Respond to the urgency around addressing cardiovascular disease or conditions contributing to cardiovascular disease

• Improve the quality of patients' and caregivers' lives in connection with the services provided and work done

Organizations can learn more and apply for a Foundation grant at www.astrazeneca-us.com/foundation/.  For this year, applications must be received by July 31 and organizations will be notified in November.  

The Connections for Cardiovascular Health Board of Trustees includes: 

• Michael Miller, MD, FACC, FAHA of the University of Maryland and senior author of a new book, AMA Guide to Preventing Heart Disease
• John Buse, MD, PhD of the University of North Carolina and a past President for Medicine and Science at the American Diabetes Association
• Jennifer H. Mieres, MD, FACC, FASNC, FAHA of the New York University School of Medicine and Advisory Board member for WomenHeart (the national coalition for women living with heart disease)
• Timothy J. Gardner, MD of Christiana Care's Center for Heart & Vascular Health and immediate past president of the American Heart Association.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About the AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation

Established in 1993, the AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation is a Delaware not-for-profit corporation and a 501(c)(3) entity organized for charitable purposes including to promote public awareness of healthcare issues, to promote public education of medical knowledge and to support or contribute to charitable and qualified exempt organizations consistent with its charitable purpose.  Since its inception, the Foundation has provided support to the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month organization -- a partnership of national public service organizations, professional medical associations and government agencies working together to promote breast cancer awareness, share information on breast cancer and provide greater access to screening services.   The Foundation's newest program, Connections for Cardiovascular Health, has a mission of improving cardiovascular health within the United States and will award Foundation grants to US-based nonprofit organizations working toward this mission.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business with a primary focus on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines.  As a leader in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory and inflammation, oncology and infectious disease medicines, AstraZeneca generated global revenues of $32.8 billion in 2009.  In the United States, AstraZeneca is a $14.8 billion healthcare business.

For more information about AstraZeneca in the US or our AZ&Me™ Prescription Savings programs, please visit: www.astrazeneca-us.com or call 1-800-AZandMe (292-6363).

(1) Writing Group Members, Lloyd-Jones D, Adams RJ, Brown TM, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics -- 2010 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2010;121:e46-e215.

SOURCE AstraZeneca