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Since its inception, The 2 BigHearts Foundation has been
instrumental in raising awareness and disseminating news
of heart disease in women and has made significant
strides in spreading information about the inherent
dangers of undiagnosed heart disease in women.
In some
of its most important work, the Foundation has been
instrumental in saving lives by working with
LaPorte
County Hospital in providing free cardiovascular
screenings for women, some of whom were found to have
previously undiagnosed heart conditions and thus
enabling physicians to intervene with needed therapies.
The following time line illustrates key events and
efforts of the Foundation to date:
2004
2005
2006
Jim Clarke has been
interviewed numerous times in a variety of media and
given many speeches communicating the story of Gigi and
Sally and promoting the mission of The 2 BigHearts
Foundation.
Additional efforts are planned for the balance of 2006
and beyond to continue to keep the issue of heart
disease in women in the forefront of the media and to
assist those affected by heart disease in a woman.
2004
Late June 2004: Development of the idea
of The 2 BigHearts Foundation in wake of deaths.
August 2004: Paperwork to establish
Foundation and seek 501 c 3 status with the IRS.
September 2004: First event: golf outing
to raise funds and awareness.
October 2004: First Board meeting.
2005
January 26, 2005: Jim Clarke interviewed
on local TV as part of a Health Beat series with
prominent mention of the Foundation and its mission.
January 2005: Officially receive 501 c 3
status from the IRS.
January 2005: Jim Clarke and Jeff Levoff
meet with Glenbrook Hospital cardiologist who
participated in Health Beat tv interview with a goal of
developing relationships with healthcare professionals
to raise awareness.
February 4, 2005: On National Wear Red for Women Day Jim
Clarke delivers a speech with Patricia Blagojevich, wife
of the Gov. of Illinois Rod R. Blagojevich as well as
Annabelle Volgman, MD of Rush
Presbyterian Hospital in
Chicago.
February 4, 2005: The 2 BigHearts
Foundation funds free heart screenings for 112 women at
LaPorte County Hospital. Board member Trish Crepeau
attends. It is a huge success. Several women were
guided to have further testing, and four women were
found to have severely impaired hearts. Similar
screening would have diagnosed the heart disease that
impaired Gigi and Sally.
February 2005:
Ad featured in the Chicago
Tribune
(see In the News on website).
May 2005: First 2 BigHearts Foundation 5K
Run in Long Beach, Indiana to raise funds and awareness.
241 runners and walkers participated.
May 2005: The 2 BigHearts Foundation Board
of Directors purchases display advertisements in the
Chicago Tribune and in local newspapers to tell the
story of Gigi and Sally and to raise awareness of the
mission of The 2 BigHearts Foundation.
June 25, 2005: One-year anniversary of
the passing of Gigi and Sally. The Foundation funds a
second free heart screening for 103 women at
LaPorte
County Hospital. Once again, several women were guided
to have further, extensive testing done. Six women were
found to have abnormal echocardiograms. This is the test
that would have saved Gigi's life.
June 2005: Second Annual 2 BigHearts
Foundation Golf Outing organized for September 18, 2005.
June 30, 2005: Meet with
Annabelle Volgman,
MD, at Rush Presbyterian Hospital to attempt to work
more closely together to disseminate news of the
Foundation and to raise awareness of the dangers of
undiagnosed heart disease in women.
September 18, 2005: Over 130 people
attend the Second Annual 2 Big Hearts Foundation Golf
Outing and Silent Auction.
2006
January 30 - February 3,
2006: Foundation runs radio
ads in Chicago area to raise awareness and coincide
with National Wear Red Day.
January 31, 2006: The 2BigHearts Foundation
announces the addition of Laurie Farrell and Kevin
Murray to the Foundation's Board.
February 4, 2006: The Foundation helps fund a third free
heart screening for women at LaPorte Hospital in LaPorte,
Indiana in coordination with the LaPorte Hospital
Foundation.
March 17, 2006: Jim Clarke and Jeff Levoff meet with Dr.
Annabelle Volgman of Rush University Medical Center to
establish an advisory board to the 2 BigHearts
Foundation.
May 27, 2006: Second annual 2 BigHearts Foundation 5K
Run/Walk in Long Beach, Indiana.
June 24, 2006: The Foundation will help fund a fourth
free heart screening for women at the Long Beach
Community Center in Long Beach Indiana in coordination
with the LaPorte Hospital Foundation.
June 27, 2006: Jim Clarke
with Peter Murphy, President and CEO and Mike Bruni, VP
of development at St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights,
IL to establish an alliance between the 2 BigHearts
Foundation and St. James Hospital.
July 18, 2006: Jim Clarke meets with Steve and Vicki
Adik to gain support and seek an association with Porter
Hospital in Valparaiso, Indiana.
July, 2006: Jim Clarke meets with Dr. Caroline Woo,
Dean of the Business School at the University of Notre
Dame to discuss 2 BigHearts Foundation initiatives.
September 24, 2006: Third
Annual Golf Tourney to be held at Long Beach Country
Club, Long Beach Indiana.
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