February is Heart Health Month at Hadassah

Hadassah of Greater Baltimore’s Heart Healthy Program will be held on Thursday, February 28, 2013 from 7-9pm at Chizuk Amuno Congregation in the Esterson Auditorium. Cardiologist Dr. Stacy Fisher & Dietician Diana Sugiuchi will be the presenters. This program is sponsored by the Hadassah of Greater Baltimore’s Gila Group. The registration fee is $5 for Hadassah Members & $8 for non-members. For more information or to place your reservation, call 410-484-9590 or email baltimore.chapter@hadassah.org.

Cardiovascular disease affects an estimated 43 million women in the United States, but it can be avoided through education, healthy living and medical screenings. When detected early, contributing factors can be treated, preventing the development of heart disease. Empowering women and men with knowledge will enable them to live healthier lives and make appropriate medical decisions for themselves and their families. According to Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics, during the last three decades heart disease sharply decreased in Israel, similar to the trend in Western countries. However, heart disease is still one of the major causes of death for both men and women in Israel, accounting for 17 percent of Israeli deaths last year.

In a joint effort to empower women around the world and promote wellness and disease prevention, Irene Pollin, MSW, PhD (Hon), founder and chairman of the Sister to Sister Heart Foundation, has funded the Linda Joy Pollin Cardiovascular Wellness Institute in Jerusalem, to the Hadassah Medical Organization, dedicated to promoting heart health in women. Dr. Donna Zfat-Zwas is the newly appointed Director of the new institute. The institute is named after Pollin's daughter, Linda Joy, who was born with a congenital heart condition and had two surgeries. Unfortunately, the second surgery was unsuccessful and Linda Joy passed away at the age of sixteen.

The creation of the Pollin Institute in Jerusalem is the first step of what will be an ongoing collaboration between Sister to Sister and Hadassah in Israel, the United States and around the world. Hadassah, HMO and Sister to Sister will join forces to educate and empower women to be heart smart—teaching women about personal risk factors for heart disease and the elements of a heart healthy lifestyle.

Hadassah of Greater Baltimore is comprised of over 4,500 members and is a chapter of HADASSAH the Women’s Zionist Organization of America. Founded in 1912, HADASSAH is the largest women’s, largest Zionist, and largest Jewish membership organization in the United States. In Israel, it supports pacesetting medical care and research, education, youth programs, reforestation and parks projects. In the US, HADASSAH promotes health education, social action and advocacy, Jewish education, volunteerism and leadership skills, Young Judaea and connections with Israel. For complete information about Hadassah of Greater Baltimore, visit www.baltimore.hadassah.org.