We have received the largest philanthropic gift in our history from Garfield Weston Foundation to fund transformational heart failure research.
Helping heart failure
We have been gifted a visionary donation of £6million to help fund the MRC/BHF Centre of Research Excellence in Advanced Cardiac Therapies (REACT). The centre aims to develop the first therapies to stimulate heart repair and regeneration in patients following a heart attack and in those with established heart failure, for which there is currently no cure.
It is estimated that over one million people in the UK have heart failure, and at least 64 million people around the world. Heart attacks are one of the most common causes of heart failure. They cause a sudden loss of blood flow to a part of the heart muscle, starving it of blood and oxygen which can damage it. The adult heart muscle cannot effectively repair itself. This means damage caused by a heart attack is often permanent.
Heart failure is a debilitating condition that can make even everyday simple tasks exhausting, like climbing the stairs or getting dressed.
The £6m donation from Garfield Weston Foundation will support REACT to develop innovative therapies focusing on heart repair and regeneration, promising to bring us closer to a cure for this devastating disease.
Our heartfelt thank you
Our Chief Executive, Dr Charmaine Griffiths said: "This transformational gift from Garfield Weston Foundation will supercharge BHF's ambitions and accelerate impact for those who need us most. Philanthropy on this scale empowers us to go further and faster and to be bolder and braver as we seek a brighter future for everyone affected by heart failure around the world. Our heartfelt thanks go to the Garfield Weston Foundation for leading the way.
"The contribution from the Garfield Weston Foundation kickstarts our philanthropic fundraising for REACT and offers hope to people affected by heart failure."
BHF Professor Paul Riley, Co-Director of REACT said: "We are deeply grateful to BHF and visionary supporters like Garfield Weston Foundation. Their belief empowers our team to accelerate genetic therapies toward trials and, ultimately, to patients."
Hearing from Garfield Weston
Sophia Weston, Deputy Chair of the Garfield Weston Foundation said: "We believe in supporting a diverse range of charities across the UK. From local community initiatives to large national projects, the common thread is that all our grantees make a real positive difference, improving lives and strengthening communities throughout the country."
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