Donation to benefit MUSC Heart, Vascular Center
The MUSC Heart and Vascular Center received a $50,000 donation from AstraZeneca and the MCI Heritage as part of a season-long weekly golf competition. The Crestor Charity Challenge recognizes the tournament leader entering the final round at most Professional Golf Association (PGA) tour events throughout the year.
Doug
McNamee, left, senior representative of AstraZeneca LP, presents a $50,000
check to MUSC Heart and Vascular Center's Mikie Hayes, center, director
of development, and Cardiology's Dr. Chris Nielsen. The gift was pledged
in support of the Acute Coronary Syndrome Center.
At each tournament, AstraZeneca donates $50,000 to the health-care-related charity of the tournament leader’s choice and $50,000 to a local charity chosen by the tournament health program.
Through the program, AstraZeneca will donate approximately $3 million this year to designated health care and PGA tour charities.
“AstraZeneca’s donation will be used to explore new treatments for cardiovascular disease, which kills almost one million Americans annually and affects more than 64 million people nationwide, according to the American Heart Association,” said Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D., MUSC president.
“Heart and vascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in the United States, and South Carolina has one of the highest death rates in the country,” Greenberg said. “The Medical University is committed to working with partners such as AstraZeneca to improve these outcomes through research, education, and enhanced patient care.”
The MUSC Heart and Vascular Center is the most comprehensive heart care center in South Carolina, offering a full spectrum of care from prevention, education, and non-surgical/surgical treatments to research that gives patients access to new medications, technologies, and procedures.
Last year, the health intelligence firm, Solucient, ranked the MUSC facility as the top heart hospital in South Carolina and one of the top 100 heart hospitals in the United States.
“Giving back is at the heart of the PGA Tour, and AstraZeneca is pleased to be able to offer health education and recognize local communities through the Crestor Charity Challenge,” said Tony Zook, senior vice president, commercial operations, AstraZeneca U.S. “The challenge not only adds an exciting new twist to the PGA Tour, it will also help the tour reach its milestone of $1 billion in charitable donations within the next few years.”
Friday, May 7, 2004
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