Strategic Alliance Partnership
Second Chance for Life Foundation (SCFLF) and The Mended Hearts, Inc. have a strategic alliance relationship. This agreement was signed in February of 2022. Its purpose is to provide respective members with better patient and caregiver support options as well as enhancing their educational and support opportunities.
Through this partnership the two organizations will be able to provide increased support to heart patients, caregivers, and family members in the Minneapolis/St. Paul community and beyond.
“The Mended Hearts Inc. offers our patient and caregiver community new education and advocacy opportunities along with a nationally renowned patient visitor program,” said Glen Kelley, President, SCFLF. “With their national presence, MHI can bring SCFLF members more support options throughout their respective heart transplant or ventricular assist device (VAD) journeys.”
“With its team of dedicated volunteers and its experience supporting heart transplant and ventricular device patients, SCFLF is uniquely positioned to help MHI reach our goal of providing hope and improving the quality of life to all heart patients through peer-to-peer support, education, and advocacy in the greater Minneapolis community,” said Andrea Baer, Executive Director of The Mended Hearts.
Through this partnership the two organizations will be able to provide increased support to heart patients, caregivers, and family members in the Minneapolis/St. Paul community and beyond.
“The Mended Hearts Inc. offers our patient and caregiver community new education and advocacy opportunities along with a nationally renowned patient visitor program,” said Glen Kelley, President, SCFLF. “With their national presence, MHI can bring SCFLF members more support options throughout their respective heart transplant or ventricular assist device (VAD) journeys.”
“With its team of dedicated volunteers and its experience supporting heart transplant and ventricular device patients, SCFLF is uniquely positioned to help MHI reach our goal of providing hope and improving the quality of life to all heart patients through peer-to-peer support, education, and advocacy in the greater Minneapolis community,” said Andrea Baer, Executive Director of The Mended Hearts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is The Mended Hearts, Inc. organization?
The Mended Hearts, Inc. (MHI) is the world’s largest peer-to-peer cardiovascular patient support network with 75,000 members in 20 countries. MHI’s mission is “To inspire hope and improve the quality of life of heart patients and their families through ongoing peer-to-peer support, education, and advocacy.” Formed in 1951, the USA 501(c) (3) non-profit is the USA’s second oldest non-profit support organization and has been offering support and encouragement to patients and families of all ages – from pre-natal diagnosis through the lifespan - for over 70 years.
What is Second Chance for Life Foundation?
Second Chance for Life Foundation (SCFLF) was founded in 1986 and helps individuals and their caregivers navigate the challenges that come with a heart transplant or a heart ventricular device (VAD) at the University of Minnesota Medical Center (UMMC), Masonic Children’s Hospital (MCH) and M Health Fairview. Its goal is to provide emotional, financial, and educational support for those individuals. SCFLF supports peer counseling and provides educational seminars focused on heart health and living with a heart transplant or VAD. It also supports qualified patients with financial assistance for medical care, housing, and transportation through an agreement with the UMMC and MCH.
Why did SCFLF and The Mended Hearts, Inc. develop an affiliation?
This affiliation will provide SCFLF members with new educational and advocacy opportunities. SCFLF members will have free access MHI’s library of educational resources, the opportunity to participate in ongoing advocacy efforts at a state and national level, and the chance to engage in multiple MHI support programs. In addition, MHI offers an accredited visitor training program that can educate patients and caregivers on how to offer peer support patients with all types of heart disease and their caregivers.
Will the focus of SCFLF change?
No, SCFLF will continue to have exclusive focus on and support for individuals and their caregivers as they navigate the challenges that come with heart transplant or VAD at University of Minnesota Medical Center/M Health Fairview medical facilities.
Will SCFLF become a part of MHI or will it remain independent?
SCFLF will remain an independent, Minnesota-based organization.
If I am a member of SCFLF, will I automatically become a member of The Mended Hearts, Inc.?
No, membership is not automatic nor is a SCFLF member required to join MHI. However, SCFLF members are welcome to become members of MHI at any time. The link to register as an MHI member click the button below:
If I am a member of MHI, will I automatically become a member of SCFLF?
No, but members of MHI that are interested in becoming members of SCFLF are welcome. A link to registration is below:
No, but members of MHI that are interested in becoming members of SCFLF are welcome. A link to registration is below:
Will my future donations to SCFLF go to The Mended Hearts, Inc instead?
No, the terms of the agreement are non-financial. No monies are to be exchanged between the two organizations.
Will my donations continue to only benefit University of Minnesota Medical Center patients, or will the money go to other institutions also?
All SCFLF donations will continue to go directly to heart transplant and VAD patient support for those at the University of Minnesota Medical Center/M Health Fairview medical facilities.
Will MHI control SCFLF?
No, the SCFLF Board of Directors will continue to lead the organization. It will continue to be comprised of patients, caregivers and individuals associated with the University of Minnesota Medical Center.
As a member of SCFLF, what will I gain by this affiliation?
This affiliation will provide new educational and advocacy opportunities for both patients and caregivers. Through this affiliation SCFLF will also utilize the MHI Accredited Visitor Training Program. This program will allow Second Chance members to become formally trained and certified in patient and caregiver peer support and thereby become better at supporting one another.
Will SCFLF lose its autonomy?
No, the SCFLF Board of Directors will continue to lead the organization. It continues to be comprised of patients, caregivers and individuals associated with the University of Minnesota Medical Center.
Will our support groups change?
No, the UMMC heart transplant and VAD support groups will continue to be led by the UMMC heart transplant/VAD Social Workers.
How can I volunteer?
If you would like to volunteer with SCFLF please contact one of its board members. Contact information is located on the Board of Directors page. For SCFLF members interested in volunteering with MHI or becoming an MHI accredited visitor further information will be available in the coming weeks.
No, the terms of the agreement are non-financial. No monies are to be exchanged between the two organizations.
Will my donations continue to only benefit University of Minnesota Medical Center patients, or will the money go to other institutions also?
All SCFLF donations will continue to go directly to heart transplant and VAD patient support for those at the University of Minnesota Medical Center/M Health Fairview medical facilities.
Will MHI control SCFLF?
No, the SCFLF Board of Directors will continue to lead the organization. It will continue to be comprised of patients, caregivers and individuals associated with the University of Minnesota Medical Center.
As a member of SCFLF, what will I gain by this affiliation?
This affiliation will provide new educational and advocacy opportunities for both patients and caregivers. Through this affiliation SCFLF will also utilize the MHI Accredited Visitor Training Program. This program will allow Second Chance members to become formally trained and certified in patient and caregiver peer support and thereby become better at supporting one another.
Will SCFLF lose its autonomy?
No, the SCFLF Board of Directors will continue to lead the organization. It continues to be comprised of patients, caregivers and individuals associated with the University of Minnesota Medical Center.
Will our support groups change?
No, the UMMC heart transplant and VAD support groups will continue to be led by the UMMC heart transplant/VAD Social Workers.
How can I volunteer?
If you would like to volunteer with SCFLF please contact one of its board members. Contact information is located on the Board of Directors page. For SCFLF members interested in volunteering with MHI or becoming an MHI accredited visitor further information will be available in the coming weeks.
|
| ||||