Heart association calls for cash

The American Heart Association San Diego Division is $246,000 away from reaching its 2009-10 fund-raising goal.

These funds are equivalent to the amount necessary to fund four researchers who could be pursuing life-saving research projects here in San Diego.

“These researchers are responsible for many of the scientific discoveries that enable us to live longer, healthier lives,” said Kirk Knowlton, M.D., chief of cardiology at UCSD and immediate past chair of the American Heart Association’s Western States Affiliate Research Committee.

“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 25percent.”

Knowlton hopes San Diego residents will make a contribution by June 30 by calling (858) 410-3850 or mailing a check to American Heart Association, 9404 Genesee Ave., Suite 240, La Jolla, CA 92037.