The Heart and Stroke Foundation in South Africa

History

The Heart Foundation (a Section 21 non-for-profit company with 18-A status) was established in 1980 to co-ordinate heart health activities in South Africa.

September 2006 saw the amalgamation of the Heart Foundation with the Stroke Foundation and becoming the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa. The joining of the two Foundations can only aid in the fight against heart and stroke disease, by creating awareness of the risk factors and focusing on prevention.

Aside from HIV and AIDS related deaths, heart disease and stroke (jointly termed cardiovascular disease) are the number one killer in South Africa. 1 in 3 men and 1 in 4 women will have a heart condition before the age of 60.

The function of the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa is to present the vast scientific knowledge of heart disease and stroke to the public in an understandable and applicable manner.

Projects include:

Health Promotion

* Educational material in the form of brochures, website content, award winning heart magazine and media articles
* Health checks
* Children’s Programme (community empowerment education initiative in crèches)
* Primary School Programme (Grade 1 - 7)
* Sow-A-Seed vegetable gardens
* Heart Mark food approval programme to identify healthy products at a glance
* Heart Mark restaurant programme - a health promotion tool designed to encourage restaurants to provide healthy food options
* Heart Mark Diet Line – free advice from dieticians

Support

* Mended Hearts support group for people who have had a cardiovascular event and their families
* Heart Mark Diet Line – free advice from dieticians
* Heart magazine

Fundraising

* Red hearts collection boxes located at various retailers throughout South Africa. Find out more...
* Events – fun activities for a good cause. Our organisation’s success is dependent on fundraising and our dedicated Events team hosts activities for the whole family from Fashion Shows, Fun Walks, Dress Red days, Golf Days and everything in between.
* We also rely on business's social responsibility and individuals’ generosity for donations and bequests.

Who We Are and What We Do

The Heart and Stroke Foundation is a Section 21 company (not-for-profit) with 18-A status, dedicated to reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease through education and supporting research. The Heart and Stroke Foundation has 3 key focus areas:

* Health promotion to encourage prevention of cardiovascular disease
* Support for people who have had a cardiovascular event and their families
* Fundraising to continue our work, with no government funding we raise every cent we spend

Vision
To create a future where South Africans adopt healthy lifestyles and reduce the number of people who suffer or die from heart, stroke and blood vessel disease.

Mission
Our mission is to raise awareness, educate and drive research on the benefits and characteristics of a healthy lifestyle so that fewer South Africans experience disability or die from cardiovascular disease