Hearts Will 'Bluhm' Throughout the City of Chicago in February 2011

CHICAGO, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- As one of the nation's top cardiovascular institutions, Northwestern Memorial Hospital's Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute is launching a first-of-its-kind consumer education and awareness campaign called "Hearts a Bluhm" to generate widespread awareness of the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in America.

Centered around a citywide art display of giant, painted acrylic hearts "blooming" throughout key high-traffic Chicago area locations, "Hearts a Bluhm" will creatively promote the importance of heart health throughout February 2011 – National Heart Month.

"The 'Hearts a Bluhm' campaign comes at a time when millions of Americans are affected daily by cardiovascular disease, including thousands here in Chicago alone," said Patrick M. McCarthy, MD, chief of the Division of Cardiac Surgery for Northwestern Memorial and director of its Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute. "Our intent with this bold public art display is to encourage conversations about cardiovascular disease and its prevention and to celebrate the people whose lives have been saved through proper diagnosis and treatment."

Each of the 100 oversized acrylic hearts, which will be displayed on public sidewalk planters and thoroughfares, will be creatively embellished and painted by a sponsoring organization or company and will be accompanied by a heart health education tip.

Columbia College Chicago will serve as the "Hearts a Bluhm" exhibit's artistic partner with students, faculty, staff and alumni expected to decorate a number of the hearts. During the months of November and December 2010, sponsoring organizations and companies will also be invited to embellish their "hearts" at a special art studio located in the city. There, Columbia College Chicago creative advisors will be on hand to provide artistic guidance as the hearts are painted.

"As the country's largest arts and media college, it seemed quite natural for Columbia College Chicago to partner with Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute on this program," said Columbia College President Warrick L. Carter, Ph.D. "This campaign is a wonderful opportunity for our community of artists to stretch their creativity and build their body of work through a public forum and for a very important cause."

Heart sponsorships range from $2,500 to $10,000. A limited number of "celebrity designed" hearts featuring the artwork of a variety of high-profile athletes and Chicago personalities will also be available for sponsorship for $20,000. After the exhibit is complete, sponsors will own their "heart" and will be able to display it at their discretion. Proceeds from the sale of the hearts will benefit cardiovascular programs at Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, as well as art scholarships at Columbia College Chicago. A portion of each contribution is tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

Awareness efforts are also being aided by "Women with Heart", prominent Chicago women, known for their commitment to giving back, who combined their strengths in support of spreading the word about "Hearts a Bluhm" and combating heart disease.

For more information about the "Hearts a Bluhm" campaign or to sponsor a heart, please visit www.heartsabluhm.org.

About Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Northwestern Memorial is one of the country's premier academic medical center hospitals and is the primary teaching hospital of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Along with its Prentice Women's Hospital and Stone Institute of Psychiatry, the hospital comprises 854 beds, 1,603 affiliated physicians and 7,144 employees. Northwestern Memorial is recognized for providing exemplary patient care and state-of-the art advancements in the areas of cardiovascular care; women's health; oncology; neurology and neurosurgery; solid organ and soft tissue transplants and orthopaedics.

Northwestern Memorial possesses nursing Magnet Status, the nation's highest recognition for patient care and nursing excellence, and it is listed in 12 clinical specialties in U.S. News & World Report's 2010 "America's Best Hospitals" guide. For 10 years running, it has been rated among the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" guide by Working Mother magazine. The hospital is a recipient of the prestigious National Quality Health Care Award and has been chosen by Chicagoans as the Consumer Choice according to the National Research Corporation's annual survey for 11 years.

SOURCE Northwestern Memorial Hospital