Heartbeat International Foundationinc

Programs: The heartbeat international project was started in 1984 by the watson clinic foundation as a 501(c)(3) private operating foundation. In 1992, the headquarters of heartbeat international was transferred to st. Joseph's hospital of tampa, a 501(c)(3) public charity. Heartbeat international of west central florida, inc. (heartbeat international worldwide, inc. ) was separately incorporated on november 30, 1993, and in 1994 became a 501(c)(3) private foundation. The purpose of heartbeat international worldwide, inc. Is to distribute new, implantable cardiac pacemakers and related devices to totally indigent patients in third world countries through uniformly structured heart centers located in developing countries. (see schedule o, pg. 35) these life-saving or life-improving devices are supplied without cost to heartbeat international worldwide, inc. By participating pacemaker manufacturers. The devices are implanted only in totally indigent patients by cardiologists/surgeons associated with the local heart center in the third world community without charge. The purpose of heartbeat international foundation, inc. Is to provide all professional and medical services by doctors and hospitals at no charge to the patient. The foundation provides continuing education programs to all healthcare professionals and develops and provides education and prevention programs through strategic alliances to the general population. These services are provided regardless of age, gender, religion, culture, or political persuasion. Heartbeat international foundation, inc. Serves as the fundraising, development and awareness entity for the work of heartbeat international worldwide, inc. The foundation creates awareness and educates the public, both in the united states and developing countries, about the medical needs and challenges of indigent patients in developing countries. Patient highlight:arturomexico arturo's heart problems began when he was three years-old. His father worked long hours at a taco stand in mexico to support the family, but he felt scared and helpless. "i didn't have the money for that surgery. I couldn't save my own son's life. "his mother was equally devastated. "when my son was sleeping, sometimes i couldn't hear his heart, and i knew one day he might not wake up in the morning. " arturo's family found hope when they met dr. Ricardo meneses of heartbeat international. Arturo traveled 100 miles to a hospital and was rushed into surgery for a pacemaker implant. Today, arturo runs around and plays with his friends. The experience has had a positive impact - he's back at school and hopes to become a doctor someday. Patient highlight:christinetrinidad & tobago"my mother tells me i was born a healthy baby, and for the most part of my childhood, i was. When i was 14, i started feeling weak and tired all the time. During a checkup, they found that my heartbeat was too low, so they took me for further tests. I was diagnosed with a third-degree heart block, and i needed to have a dual-chamber pacemaker implanted. ""my family was scared; our government hospital didn't offer the surgery, and we couldn't afford to get it done privately. I was in high school, and my life had just begun. ""heartbeat international gave me a second chance at life. With their help, i was able to receive the surgery and life-long care at no cost. The doctors told me to rest at home, but i was too excited to be normal again, and i went back to school two weeks after the surgery. I graduated high school and went to college to study accounting. I graduated with honors, and i now work for the central bank. I am on my second device now. I follow up with my doctor every six months. In fact, i just saw my doctor yesterday and i am doing very well. ""i love life - i am into yoga, and hiking; i like to go out and hang out with my friends. If i don't tell you, you wouldn't guess i have a pacemaker, but i do, and it saved my life. "