$10m. given for cardiovascular health at Hadassah

A $10 million donation has been donated to Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Organization to establish a cardiovascular wellness institute and launch a partnership to promote healthy hearts, especially among women.

The contribution by Irene Pollin, founder and chairman of Sister to Sister, was announced Wednesday night at the 100th centenary celebration of the Hadassah Women’s Zionist Organization of America (HWZOA) in Jerusalem’s International Convention Center.

The Linda Joy Pollin Cardiovascular Wellness Institute was named after the donor’s daughter, Linda Joy, who was born with a congenital heart condition that she bravely fought for 16 years before it took her life.

More than 12 years ago, the donor established Sister to Sister in the US to get the word out to women – especially to working women, who have no time to take care of themselves – that cardiac screenings are a key factor in heart disease prevention.

A psychotherapist with a master of social work degree from Catholic University, Pollin is the author of two books and many articles on chronic disease.

Seeking to expand on its groundbreaking work empowering women throughout the US and educating both federal lawmakers and the international community in Washington, Sister to Sister is taking its message to Jerusalem with the new Hadassah institute.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women.

“Given Hadassah’s 100 years of experience helping women of all backgrounds take better care of themselves, I could not think of a better way to reach out to our sisters across the globe than establishing the Linda Joy Pollin Institute at Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem. Heart disease knows no boundaries, and neither will we.” HWZOA national president Marcie Natan thanked Pollin’s gift and said the Pollin Institute in Jerusalem is but the first step of what will be an ongoing collaboration between Sister to Sister and Hadassah in Israel and the US.

Pollin organized the first Sister to Sister Women’s Heart Health Fair in Washington, leading to more in two-dozen US cities. The organization has screened over 100,000 women and remains America’s largest provider of free female screenings of heart disease.

Correction:
A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that The Linda Joy Pollin Cardiovascular Wellness Institute was named after Irene Pollin's granddaughter, Hannah Pollin-Galay, who did not pass away as was mistakenly stated. We apologize for the error.