Geneva– The Mended Hearts, Inc., a leading peer-support organization for cardiovascular patients in the United States, is expanding its mission globally with the launch of the Mended Hearts International Foundation (MHIF). Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the new nonprofit aims to empower patients living with cardiovascular and related diseases through peer support, education, and healthcare advocacy.
MHIF will work with international policymakers, healthcare professionals, and advocacy groups to help shape patient-centered healthcare policies that address not only heart disease but also conditions such as stroke, diabetes, obesity, chronic kidney disease, cancer, sleep apnea, and depression.
“For more than 70 years, The Mended Hearts has been a beacon of hope for heart patients,” said founder A.R. Voss. “With MHIF, we’re building a global platform to help millions of patients and families live healthier lives with better tools, support, and understanding.”
The Foundation will be part of the Mended Hearts International Network (MHIN), which currently includes The Mended Hearts, Inc. (USA), Mended Hearts Europe, and Mended Hearts University. Additional nonprofits such as Mended Little Hearts and Mended Hearts Asia are also expected to join.
MHIF will focus on four key goals: expanding peer-to-peer support networks; providing accessible educational resources; conducting patient-centered research; and upholding the ethical values of the international network.
Advocacy will be a central pillar of the foundation’s work, with efforts aimed at legislative monitoring, ethical and legal reforms, alternative healthcare funding, and building coalitions to strengthen the voice of patients in healthcare policy. The organization also plans to host international conferences and workshops to inform and connect patient communities.
According to the CDC, over 523 million people globally suffer from cardiovascular diseases. MHIF’s leadership says the new foundation is a response to that growing need.
MHIF will be overseen by a Board of Directors, an advisory committee featuring representatives from each MHIN entity, and independent auditors. The Foundation aims to provide a unified global structure for continuing the mission of patient-centered care and advocacy that began in the U.S. over seven decades ago.
