LIVE! With Regis and Kelly's 2010 'High Heel-A-Thon' Raises $63,000 for the Foundation for NIH

BETHESDA, Md., Sept. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Popular morning talk show LIVE! with Regis and Kelly hosted the 2010 edition of the show's High Heel-a-thon, Wednesday morning in New York's Central Park.  Proceeds from the 150-yard dash for charity will benefit the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) in support of The Heart Truth®, a national awareness campaign for women's heart health education and research.

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.  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 FNIH will use proceeds from the race to benefit and fund efforts related to women's heart health awareness and research through its Heart Truth Community Action Program – a grant-based program for community organizations to develop, implement, and evaluate activities and programming to support improved heart health for women.  Nearly $300,000 in grants have been issued to equip community organizations to assist women – especially those of color, low income, or in rural areas – in identifying personal risk factors for heart disease and motivating them to take action to lower their risk.

Maryland grad student Ida Bernstein of Cockeysville, MD ran away with the High Heel-a-thon win, finishing the 150-yard sprint in a remarkable 19.12 seconds.  She set a new course record and took home the grand prize of an All-New 2011 Volkswagen Jetta, plus a special surprise $10,000 check.

In the men's race, 2008 High Heel-a-thon winner Shane Neil of Brooklyn, NY returned and successfully defended his title, winning $1,000 in prize money.  In addition, this year's High Heel-a-thon was powered by Zappos.com, and the online fashion retailer teamed up with "Project Runway's" Tim Gunn (roving correspondent for the event) to present the "Best Dressed" award.

Additional funds were raised through the LIVE! with Regis and Kelly web site, where they made it possible to donate to the cause.  Donations are still being accepted at: http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/regisandkelly/special/highheel/index.html

About The Heart Truth®

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).  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.

About the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health

The Foundation for NIH was established by the United States Congress to support the mission of the National Institutes of Health and its 27 institutes – improving health through scientific discovery in the search for cures and extending healthy life.  The foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation that raises private-sector funds for a broad portfolio of unique programs that complement and enhances NIH priorities and activities.  www.fnih.org

SOURCE FNIH