Member Spotlight: The Mended Hearts Inc.
The Importance of Creating Connection
Cardiovascular disease is a global killer that currently affects more than half a billion people around the world. While much needs to be done to improve the health of millions to prevent heart disease for those not yet affected, for those already living with the disease, support and education are crucial to helping them live with, and manage, their condition.
At The Mended Hearts, Inc. (MHI), our mission is “to inspire hope and improve the quality of life of heart patients and their families through ongoing peer-to-peer support, education, and advocacy.” When someone experiences a heart event or has a child that is born with a congenital heart defect, they often feel fear and anxiety. Many also experience depression and feelings of isolation. At MHI we believe that no one should ever have to feel alone on their journey with heart disease.
MHI’s three programs — Mended Little Hearts®, Young Mended Hearts®, and Mended Hearts® — make MHI the only organization in the world that supports patients with all forms of cardiovascular disease throughout a patient’s entire lifespan. MHI volunteers inspire, educate, and empower nearly 400,000 patients and family members each year through a robust network of members who provide services and outreach in hospitals, cardiology offices, clinics, cardiac rehab centers and local communities. Another 4+ million reach MHI each year through our social media channels and web pages.
Through our unique MyHeartVisit® Accredited Visiting Program, MHI volunteers receive training on empathy, diversity sensitivity, privacy, confidentiality, and rules of conduct. Patients, caregivers, and families can receive visits in-person, by phone, by email, and online. Those patients and families looking for sustained support can join one of our 220 chapters located throughout the United States. These chapters hold support and education meetings, provide care and educational items to the heart community, and fundraise to support families. Nationally MHI provides a staff to support members and chapters, distributes educational materials and organizes webinars, partners with other health-focused organizations around the world, trains advocates, and creates powerful campaigns to spread awareness of heart disease. MHI members and volunteers don’t simply tell patients and families about the heart disease journey, they show them and walk with them on that journey.
If you or a family member are looking for support, please go to http://www.mendedhearts.org or send an email to info@mendedhearts.org. To learn more about MHI and the power of peer support, please click HERE.
Organizational Mission
MHI is the world’s largest peer-to-peer cardiovascular patient support network with over 103,000 members residing in 20 countries. Founded in 1951, we are the USA’s second oldest non-profit support organization. For over 72 years, MHI has been offering hope, support, and encouragement to patients and families of all ages – from pre-natal diagnosis throughout the lifespan. We also offer our services to heart patients with many related diseases, such as stroke, diabetes, obesity, cancers, sleep apnea, kidney disease, and depression.
