Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death among women, surpassing all forms of cancer combined, according to the American Heart Association. A significant step towards combating this issue has been made with a $3 million gift from Lee and Valerie Shapiro, dedicated philanthropists and volunteer leaders of the Association. This generous contribution will bolster the Mother's Day matching gift campaign and support the Go Red for Women Venture Fund, focusing on innovative research and community initiatives to improve women's cardiovascular health.
The Shapiros' involvement with the American Heart Association is deeply personal, stemming from their own family experiences with cardiovascular disease. Their previous efforts include the launch of the Millions Honoring Moms campaign in 2021, which matches donations made in May, up to $1 million, to fund research and education on women's heart health. The campaign has grown into a national movement, significantly raising awareness and encouraging donations in honor of mothers and other important women in donors' lives.
Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, praised the Shapiros for their extraordinary generosity and commitment to the Association's mission. Their latest donation ensures the continuation of the matching gift campaign for future years and advances the Go Red for Women Venture Fund, which seeks to innovate and improve outcomes in women's cardiovascular health. Lee Shapiro, a venture capitalist, emphasized the importance of supporting early-stage founders focused on health innovations, highlighting the Venture Fund's role in advancing women's health across all stages of life.
The American Heart Association's efforts, supported by donations like the Shapiros', are crucial in addressing the disparities in awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease in women. With cardiovascular disease claiming the lives of 1 in 3 women, initiatives like the Go Red for Women movement and the Millions Honoring Moms campaign are vital in the fight against this leading cause of death. For more information on how to support these efforts, visit https://www.heart.org or https://www.GoRedforWomen.org.
