Founded in 1999 by three women who formed a support group after having heart attacks, it is the "first and only national patient-centered organization dedicated to serving women with heart disease."
They do this while embracing the values of empowerment, equality, inclusiveness, collaboration and quality. WomenHeart believes that education, support and training will enable women to take charge of their heart health and inspire them to advocate for other women. In the 20 years they've been around, over 900 women heart disease survivors have been trained to be community educators.
WomenHeart has also developed 100 patient support groups in 30 states, hosts advocacy institute conferences to train women to become public policy advocates, created the educational Red Bag of Courage program and held the first National Policy and Science Summit for women's cardiovascular health.
Not only that, their website is full of resources that help you prevent, diagnose, and treat heart disease. You can also find information to educate yourself, connect with a support group and learn to become an advocate for women with heart disease. Get some information and inspiration in this short PSA video.
You can support WomenHeart in the traditional ways by making a donation or becoming a volunteer. You can also knit a red scarf as part of the HeartScarves program. Your scarf will be donated to women heart patients in hospitals to offer them comfort and support. Since this program started in 2009, over 5000 scarves have been delivered. Get on it, knitters!
Other ways to spread the love? Like the WomenHeart Facebook page and follow them on Twitter @WomenHeartOrg.
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