THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation’s Connections for Cardiovascular HealthSM program is awarding a grant of $192,994 to Westminster Free Clinic to support its Corazones Sanos para Mi Familia (Healthy Hearts for My Family) which works to improve cardiovascular health in the community.
Corazones Sanos para Mi Familia aims to improve the health outcomes of low-income, uninsured Latinos suffering from or at high risk for heart disease or diabetes, or both, through culturally competent, patient-centered services. Those services include early detection through community outreach and health screenings; access to preventive care and medical specialists; healthy lifestyles support, such as cooking demonstrations and physical activity; and empowerment through improvement of eating environments.
“A cardiac event for the working poor individuals we serve would bankrupt their family and destabilize the lives of their children,” said Lisa Safaeinili, MPH, RD, executive director. “The low-income uninsured Latino community we serve faces many barriers to healthcare, including lack of transportation, low literacy and limited education. We believe in a culturally-competent approach through engaging and empowering the high school children of our patient population: advocating for healthy food options at Latino markets, offering free exercise options and providing a fun, inspiring program to educate and support the heart health of our participants.”
“Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death in the United States, which is why we must find new ways to help prevent and decrease the risks associated with this disease,” said James W. Blasetto, MD, MPH, FACC, chairman of the AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation. “The AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation is proud to provide funding to Westminster Free Clinic’s innovative program to help improve cardiovascular health in their community.”
The Connections for Cardiovascular HealthSM program annually awards grants to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations across the country. More than $2.6 million in grants to 13 organizations will be announced this year. More than $17 million in grants have been awarded through the program since its inception in 2010. In 2015, the Connections for Cardiovascular HealthSM program will award grants from $150,000 to $180,000.
Organizations can learn more and apply online for a Connections for Cardiovascular HealthSM grant at www.astrazeneca-us.com/foundation. Applications must be submitted online no later than 5 p.m. EST on Feb. 26, 2015.
About Westminster Free Clinic
Westminster Free Clinic (WFC) is an innovative model of healthcare delivery bringing together adult volunteer healthcare professionals and high-school students interested in pursuing careers in health in Ventura County. In doing so, WFC serves as the safety net provider of choice to thousands of low-income uninsured Latinos, and also prepares minority youth to gain the training and the skills needed to enter the healthcare workforce pipeline. WFC also provides a full continuum of non-medical programs such as free legal, food and clothing distribution and school supplies for children, serving as a family resource center; meeting the entire needs of its patients and their families in a holistic, coordinated way. Funding comes from non-government sources like foundations service clubs, and individual donors. For more information, visit http://www.westminsterclinic.org or call 805-300-6012.
About AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation
Established in 1993, the AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation is a Delaware not-for-profit corporation and a 501(c)(3) entity organized for charitable purposes, including to promote public awareness of healthcare issues, to promote public education of medical knowledge and to support or contribute to charitable and qualified exempt organizations consistent with its charitable purpose. Connections for Cardiovascular HealthSM was launched in 2010 through a charitable contribution of $25 million from AstraZeneca.
