In addition to promoting other women’s projects, Network 355 creates and administers its own programs- integrated marketing/fundraising campaigns in support of the specific causes. There are two programs that we are running in 2010-2011: Burma Program and WeHearts Program.
Heart disease is the #1 killer of American Women, regardless of their race or ethnicity. 1 in 4.6 women will die of cancer while 1 in 2.6 women will die of heart disease. 52% of women die of sudden cardiac death before arriving at a hospital vs. men’s 42%. 65% of women die from heart disease without even knowing they were afflicted. Recent data show a significant decline in sudden cardiac death in men with NO change in women. Women tend to do worse and have more associated co-morbidities after heart attacks than men and are more prone towards depression and functional decline. A very unique and undereducated group of cardiovascular patients that requires additional attention is women of child bearing age. Few centers focus on counseling and creating support groups for this delicate matter.
Given the significant life-style impairment and compromised quality of life for women suffering from heart disease, social support and counseling are crucial. It is necessary to create support groups that would provide education, like recommendations on lifestyle modification, and social support tailored specifically towards the unique nature of cardiovascular disease in women.
Vice President and Board Member of Network 355, Dr. Nina Mirsakov, is a cardiologist, who is currently pursuing her fellowship in cardiovascular medicine at Maimonides Medical Center. Nina played an influential role as a part of founding team of Network 355, and she is an example of a woman entrepreneur who joined Network 355, wanting to make a change, using her professional expertise. Throughout her medical career, Nina has become impassioned about raising awareness about heart disease in women, and has committed herself to improving the quality of care for women afflicted with heart disease. She realized that as a woman and a cardiologist she has a unique position to be able to reach out, educate, and improve the quality of healthcare for women. The fact is that the percentage of women cardiologists in the United States remains very low; according to the latest survey only about 10% of cardio trainees (fellows) are women.
Responding to such realities, Network 355 created a special program, called WeHearts, under the leadership of Dr. Nina Mirsakov, which aims to heighten public awareness and improve quality of care for women suffering with this debilitating condition.
Objectives:
- Create and exercise an integrated marketing campaign consisting of special events and social media marketing which aims to educate public about specifics of women heart disease.
- Create partnerships and raise funds to benefit non-profit organizations dedicated to promoting this cause
- Bring in attention of specialists and help raise funds for more research in this area
- Act as a liaison between non-profit establishments and hospitals. Create partnerships to connect consumers with designated hospitals and clinicians committed to gender-sensitive practice for prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and conditions
Stay tuned for news on WeHearts large-scale upcoming event to raise awareness about Women Heart Disease in New York City coming up in February 2011.
