Tri-County Heart Association still short of goal to fund research scientist

The American Heart Association, TriCounty Division has announced it will finish the fiscal year having raised more funds to fight heart disease and stroke than in the previous year.

The division is still $60,000 short of its 2008-09 income goal, the amount necessary to fund a research scientist.

"These researchers are responsible for many of the scientific discoveries that enable us to live longer, healthier lives," said Julia Nagy, executive director of the heart association's Tri-County Division. "This research is a large part of our success in meeting, ahead of schedule, our "2010 Impact Goal" of reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 25 percent."

The division raised funds through donors as well as costsaving efforts. In May, the division changed its annual Heart Ball from a formal sit-down dinner to a casual, cocktail-style event.

Nagy hopes the community will continue its support of the American Heart Association with donations to close the funding gap by Tues., June 30.

For more information or to make a contribution, call (805) 963-8862 or send a check to American Heart Association, P.O. Box 636, Santa Barbara, CA 93102.