Candis - Club-charities-BHF

British Heart Foundation - how you help others

Every two minutes someone has a heart attack - only half survive – and in many cases it comes as a complete surprise.

Thanks to you, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has received more than £1 million from Candis Club! This support has helped fund important research that saves and improves the lives of vulnerable adults and children. You have also helped to fund a number of education and patient care initiatives.

Case Studies

NEW "I knew I had to get fit" David Orridge survived a heart bypass and took up cycling

"My gums could kill me" Tim Thorne tells his story

Are you fighting fit or fighting fat? Read about the BHF's work fighting obesity

"Candis magazine has supported the British Heart Foundation for five years and within that time you have raised a phenomenal £1 million - and counting! The Candis partnership is vital to so many," says Peter Hollins, Director General, British Heart Foundation.

The British Heart Foundation receives 30 per cent of all Candis Club donations. Since last October the Club expects to give £275,000 to help the fight against heart disease. For more information log on to www.bhf.org.uk.

How your money has been spent

Your money has helped the BHF to:

• provide funds for vital research into heart and circulatory disease - including developments of research breakthroughs into clot-busting drugs and statins
• set up new Heartstart emergency training schemes around the UK
• supply a number of life-saving defibrillators for use within local communities, such as in shopping precincts and sports centres
• fund education products to encourage people to become more active and lead a healthier lifestyle.

The BHF needs donations to continue this vital work. Over the past 12 months Candis Club money has been raising vital funds to place eight new BHF Heart Nurses - two in each BHF region across the UK.

Every week, a BHF Heart Nurse helps up to 30 patients enjoy a better quality of life. They:

• provide practical and emotional care and support to patients and their families in their own homes
• help patients to manage their condition, improve their confidence and maintain their independence
• work closely with GPs, practice nurses, health visitors and community health teams to manage a patient's recovery.

Research shows that heart patients live longer with nursing support at home but for many of the 2.6 million people living with heart disease, the best possible care isn't available.

"Our nurses do a wonderful job for people with a range of problems, but we need a lot more of them, which is why we welcome this support from Candis Club. When people give so generously we want to ensure that every £1 is well spent," says
Dr Mike Knapton, GP and BHF Director of Prevention and Care.

Douglas Campbell Rouse, BHF Head of Corporate Fundraising says:
"The money donated through Candis Club has had a major impact on our fight against heart disease. We greatly value the contribution the Club makes, which helps to ensure our vital research work, patient care and education campaigns can continue. We look forward to continuing our work together over the next year."

Subscribe to Candis now and help us raise even more for the BHF