Foundation for NIH Announces 2011 Heart Truth® Community Action Program Grant Recipients

BETHESDA, Md., Feb. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) announced the 2011 Heart Truth® Community Action Program grant recipients.  Seven community organizations were chosen to receive grants totaling nearly $200,000, in support of women's heart health initiatives.

The Heart Truth Community Action Program grants are awarded annually by FNIH as part of a public-private partnership with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), in support of The Heart Truth, to promote women's heart health education and research. Funding for the 2011 grants has been made possible through the generous support of Foundation for NIH partners: Diet Coke, Swarovski, Pfizer, Simon Malls, Eyebobs, Clothes Off Our Back Foundation and proceeds from LIVE with Regis and Kelly's 2010 "High Heel-a-thon" in Central Park.

The 2011 grant recipients include:

• Cardiology Associates Foundation (Arkansas; SE Missouri; Memphis, TN)
• Community Health Network Foundation (Green Lake County, WI)
• Covenant Health (East Tennessee)
• Hope Heart Institute (Western Washington State and Yakima Nation Reservation)
• SWAH Empowerment (North Central Georgia)
• Wheaton Franciscan – St. Joseph (Milwaukee, WI)
• YWCA Middle Rio Grande (New Mexico - Statewide)

"As we enter our fourth year of supporting The Heart Truth campaign, FNIH is proud to continue playing an important role in this initiative by raising funds, helping to spread awareness, and engaging communities," said Dr. Scott Campbell, Executive Director and CEO of the Foundation for NIH. "By building relationships and securing support from our partners, FNIH has been able to award nearly $500,000 in grants to community organizations since 2009."

The Heart Truth is a national awareness campaign for women about heart disease sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). FNIH supports The Heart Truth campaign by extending the campaign's message and raising funds to create programs that help fund research activities and benefit community organizations to develop, implement, and evaluate activities and programming to support improved heart health for women.

The Heart Truth Community Action Program aims to help communities encourage heart disease awareness and foster action, especially among women of color, women with low incomes, and women who live in rural areas. For more information about The Heart Truth Community Action Program and how FNIH supports The Heart Truth please visit www.fnih.org.

About the Foundation for NIH

Established by the United States Congress to support the mission of the NIH—improving health through scientific discovery in the search for cures—the Foundation for NIH is a leader in identifying and addressing complex scientific and health issues. The foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization that raises private-sector funds for a broad portfolio of unique programs that complement and enhance NIH priorities and activities. For additional information about the Foundation for NIH, please visit www.fnih.org

About The Heart Truth® Campaign

The Heart Truth® is a national awareness campaign for women about heart disease and is sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Through the campaign, the NHLBI leads the nation in a landmark heart health awareness movement that is being embraced by millions who share the common goal of better heart health for all women.

The centerpiece of The Heart Truth is the Red Dress, which was introduced as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness in 2002 by the NHLBI. The Red Dress® reminds women of the need to protect their heart health, and inspires them to take action.

To learn more, visit www.hearttruth.gov.

SOURCE Foundation for the National Institutes of Health