Hearts in Europe

Our Chief Executive Peter Hollins (pictured right) was in Brussels yesterday as President of the European Heart Network, to chair a conference organised by EHN and the European Society of Cardiologists.

Here's Peter's report on how the day went...

"The conference was discussing the outcome of Work Package 5 of the Euroheart project, run by ESC and EHN and part financed by the EU. Odd coming back as a visitor to the city in which I lived for six years.

"The project compares rates of heart-related deaths around Europe and looks at the policies which are in place to tackle heart disease.

"We had a reasonably good turn-out for the meeting, but were very pleased that both the EU Commissioner for Health and the Director General of the Directorate came.

"The UK is so-so in overall heart health terms, and I pointed out in my speech that everybody around Europe really knows what needs to be done to improve heart health, but the political will is lacking and there are some huge entrenched interests - particularly food, tobacco (still!) and to some extent big pharma who have a strong interest in the status quo.

"I pointed out that we need a much greater spend on prevention, consistent tobacco taxation across Europe and proper food labelling - and I have to be honest, I'm a bit evangelical about this!

"They are all going to come in the end, but the Commission made it quite clear that we have to be realistic about what the EU and national governments will do at a time of economic stringency."

What's it like to be 21 and waiting for a heart op?

"In a weird way I am looking forward to the operation now, but as it is a few weeks away I need to concentrate on my pending exams that I am taking. I have to do my exams in summer as I had an operation during the usual exam time. Annoying, but again my health comes first."

Leanne (pictured above right) is 21 and has a congenital heart condition. She's currently waiting to undergo a heart valve operation.

The passage above is taken from a regular blog in which Leanne is going to be sharing her experiences on our young people's website yheart - you can read her first post here

Let Leanne and us know what you think about her blog by posting a comment below.

Apocalypse then

It's not often that our thoughts turn from hearts to braaaains here at the British Heart Foundation, but thanks to a novel unofficial fundraising event from some undead afficionados in London, one intrepid BHF reporter nearly didn't make it out with hers.

The Sports Day of the Dead started with a horde (slowly) rampaging through Leicester Square.

The ranks of the differently-alive were very varied, everything from zombie telemarketers to undead soldiers.

Characters from films and post-apocalyptic video games like Resident Evil tried briefly to keep the mob at bay but were swiftly consumed (providing essential protein)!

Hearts and minds

The ravening monsters then moved on to the swelteringly warm London Fields for an afternoon of fun, games and brain-flavoured jelly.

The javelimb and the people chase definitely added a new twist to the traditional sports day, and there was a great grand prize (more on that later). The limping was very energetic, proving that exercise definitely doesn't have to be dull!

We'd like to extend our thanks to the organisers of this and every other unofficial fundraising event for their creativity and hard work. It's only with your support that we can keep up the fight against heart disease.

Paris when it sizzles

Love and marriage went together like a horse and ...bicycle? on the British Heart Foundation's London to Paris ride this August.

After the 280 mile ride from Big Ben to the Palace of Versailles, the first thing people usually want to do is have a good meal or maybe a cold bath, but instead one of our riders whipped out a diamond ring and proposed to his girlfriend. The romance of it all had the BHF staff in tears!

This ride was organised when our September London to Paris event filled up so quickly that we just couldn't disappoint everyone who wanted to join in. What made this ride very special was that we all got to know every rider and support driver by name.

BHF organiser Kate Sparks said: “We were so lucky with the group of people we got. I miss all the teams today and can’t wait for the next one in September. A huge thanks to our volunteers who showed continued enthusiasm throughout the whole three days."

Whether they were riding for a loved one, took it as a personal challenge, were on a work team-bonding excursion or just fancied it, our riders ended up friends for life.

We hope you all have good memories of fantastic times, new friends made, beautiful roads ridden, many hills conquered and very sore bottoms. Here's hoping we all get invited to the wedding, too!

Long live the King

We really love all the amazing work everyone is doing to raise money for the BHF. Without your support our vital research, care and treatment programmes just couldn't happen!

This weekend is no exception. York's famous Crescent Club will be all shook up by hundreds of Elvis impersonators in aid of the British Heart Foundation! The Elvis Academy 2009 will be handing out awards to the crème de la crème of Presley pretenders.

Organiser Eddie Vee, himself an Elvis impersonator, says:

“Elvis really put his heart into all his shows and raised millions for charities, so Elvis tributes know how important the heart is, and that the British Heart Foundation plays a vital part in taking care of hearts – so please support the event whole heartedly.”

Pick up your tickets for £5 per day by:

• getting them from the Crescent Club on the day
• phoning Lucy Watson on 01904 639308
  or 07802 755798
• emailing Lucy Watson at the BHF.

Share your story - help save lives

Here at the British Heart Foundation, we need real stories to include in our educational and fundraising materials.

We also receive regular requests from the media wishing to speak to people who have been affected by heart disease.

Whether you have experienced a heart condition yourself, or been affected by the experiences of a close friend or family member, your story could help change and save lives.

At the moment, we are particularly looking for:

• Women under the age of 40 with experience of heart conditions
• Children and teenagers with experience of heart conditions
• Families where more than one member has been affected by heart disease

To send us your story, please choose from one of the following options:

• I am a heart patient
  
• My child is a heart patient
  
• A family member or friend of mine is a heart patient

If you would like to help raise awareness of heart disease, please click the link above that's relevant to you and a member of BHF staff will be in touch with you.

Information from this form will only be available to BHF staff for the purpose of matching your story to BHF publications or publicity and will only be used with your prior consent.

For more information, please contact us on 020 7754 0153 or email yourstory@bhf.org.uk

Making waves in the fight against heart disease

Our East Region Events Manager Melanie Blackman sends us this report from the weekend's Brighton Sea Swim...

"It was 9am, Saturday. The weather was amazing and the sea 'glassy' (which means pretty perfect I'm reliably informed) when suddenly a voice came over the radio: 'The sharks are in the water!'

"But there was no need to panic. It just the first of three groups of BHF fundraising heroes taking to the water for our third annual Brighton Sea Swim.

"Around 250 Sharks, Dolphins and Seals registered for the 1km swim and decided this was the summer they would get wet, get fit and save lives.

"The media were out in full force capturing the event and some of the incredible life stories that inspire people to take part in our events.

"Also there were a film crew for TV channel Five, who are producing a series about life in Brighton . It's due to be aired early September so make sure you check it out.

"Thanks to the entire team who worked so hard on the day to make this year's Brighton Sea Swim the very best yet!"