Heartbeat International believes in the sanctity of human life, regardless of sex, race, age, religious or political affiliation. We believe it is our duty to help relieve the pain and suffering of heart patients in need of pacemaker therapies throughout the world, without financial gain.
For questions not addressed below, please feel free to email us at info@heartbeatintl.org.
- What is a pacemaker?
- What is an implantable converter defibrillator (ICD)?
- What is the reason for getting a pacemaker or an ICD?
- Why don't you provide pacemakers in the United States?
- What is a Pacemaker Bank?
- How do you determine if a patient is really poor?
- Do you send doctors from the US to implant pacemakers?
- What about patient follow-up? How is it handled?
- What is a "use before date" (UBD)?
- How long will a pacemaker work after the UBD?
- Where are Heartbeat International Pacemaker Banks located?
- What is the Mission and what are your values?
- Do children sometimes need pacemakers also?
- How are pacemaker banks established?
- What is Rotary's involvement in Heartbeat International?
- Is Heartbeat International a 501(c)(3)?
- Where does Heartbeat International get its money / funding?
- What does it cost you to implant a pacemaker, and how does that compare with the cost in the US?
- How can I make a donation?
- Will my donation make a difference?
- Can I receive tax credits for my donation?
- Can employees support non-United Way charities through United Way?
- Do you implant new or used pacemakers?
- Can I send you a testimonial about how my pacemaker changed my life?
- What is your overhead and fundraising to income ratio?
- Do you have any awards or certifications as a non-profit?
- What is a pacemaker?
A pacemaker (sometimes called pacemaker generator) is a small device that is implanted under the skin, often in the shoulder area, just under the collarbone and sends electrical signals to start or regulate a slow heartbeat. A pacemaker may be used to stimulate the heartbeat if the heart's natural pacemaker (the sinoatrial, or SA, node) is not functioning properly, has developed an abnormal heart rate or rhythm, or if the electrical pathways are blocked.
Children's pacemakers may be placed under the skin in one of several locations. Young children (infants, toddler, preschool, and young school-aged children) often have the pacemaker placed in the abdomen, since the fatty tissue found there can help protect the pacemaker from normal everyday childhood activities such as playing. As a child gets older (nearing adolescence), the pacemaker is often placed in the shoulder area, just under the collarbone.
- What is an implantable converter defibrillator (ICD)?
An implantable converter defibrillator (ICD) is a small device, similar to a pacemaker, that is implanted under the skin, often in the shoulder area, just under the collarbone. An ICD senses the rate of the heartbeat. When the heart rate exceeds a rate programmed into the device, the ICD delivers a small, electrical shock to the heart to slow the heart rate. Many newer ICDs can also function as a pacemaker by delivering an electrical signal to regulate a heart rate that is too slow.
- What is the reason for getting a pacemaker or an ICD?
When the heart's natural pacemaker has a dysfunction, the signals it sends out may become erratic: either too slow, too fast, or too irregular to stimulate adequate contractions of the heart chambers. When the heartbeat becomes erratic, it is referred to as an arrhythmia (an abnormal rhythm of the heart, which can cause the heart to pump less effectively).
Arrhythmias can cause problems with contractions of the heart chambers by:
a) not allowing the chambers to fill with an adequate amount of blood because the electrical signal is causing the heart to pump too fast.
b) not allowing a sufficient amount of blood to be pumped out to the body because the electrical signal is causing the heart to pump too slow or too irregularly.
- Why don't you provide pacemakers in the United States?
Patients living in the United States are protected by laws requiring hospitals to provide critical medical care such as pacemaker implant and other life-saving surgery, regardless of economic status.
The Heartbeat International pacemaker program was formed out of necessity for indigent and ill patients in developing countries who lack a social safety net to catch those too poor to afford life - a pacemaker implant. Unfortunately, without this vital program, many poor patients around the world would die needlessly.
The Heartbeat International pacemaker program is unique in such it takes pacemakers that are no longer salable in the United States (USA) to save the lives of the indigent and ill around the world. The pacemaker industry is regulated by the FDA, restricting sale and use here in the States of pacing devices reaching their "use before dates" (UBD). Instead of destroying these new devices, the pacemaker industry donates inventory nearing its "use before date" to Heartbeat International who provides (ships) it to our Pacemaker Banks to save lives of the indigent and ill worldwide.
Typically, 8-10 years of functional battery strength remains after the UBD date has been reached.
- What is a Pacemaker Bank?
A Pacemaker Bank is a functional entity of Heartbeat International and is governed by a Board of Directors and comprised of a Rotary club, trained and experienced physicians, and a local hospital capable of supporting a pacemaker implant. The Board, through participating physicians, identifies medically indigent patients in need of cardiac pacemakers. The non-medical members of the Board work with the physician to confirm the economic status of the recipient (patient), coordinate pacing inventory (pacemakers shipped from the U.S.), and facilitate the implant procedure.
Pacemaker Banks are so designated only after completing an application process, meeting requirements, and agreeing to strict operating principles.
Heartbeat International maintains an ever-growing network of Pacemaker Banks all around the world.
- How do you determine if a patient is really poor?
Heartbeat International is governed by strict operating principles in which all Pacemaker Banks must equally adhere. Participating physicians at our Pacemaker Banks identify patients in need of pacemaker or defibrillator therapy and, if there is an indication of economic hardship, refer the patient for economic assessment by the sponsoring Rotary club, who acts as overseer. If the Rotary club certifies the hardship, only then will the patient be approved to enter the Heartbeat International pacemaker program where all services (pacemaker, implant surgery and follow-up) are provided 'free of charge.'
- Do you send doctors from the US to implant pacemakers?
No. The Heartbeat International model is comprised of local physicians, Rotarians, and public hospitals at each of our locations who all donate their services 'free of charge' to recipients in the Heartbeat International program. This collaboration enables us to effectively and efficiently achieve our Mission while promoting community service and goodwill amongst nations.
To stay atop of rapidly evolving pacing technology and to ensure optimal patient care, Heartbeat International holds an annual educational workshop here in the U.S. Physicians and medical staff at our Pacemaker Banks worldwide are encouraged to attend the workshop 'free of charge' and are given complimentary access to the widely respected and recognized American College of Cardiology scientific sessions.
- What about patient follow-up? How is it handled?
Pacemakers are battery driven and over time begin to weaken, therefore, patient follow-up and troubleshooting are required as needed. Pacemaker Bank physicians provide 'free life-time follow-up care' to carefully monitor the pacemaker or defibrillator performance, make adjustments as needed, and recommend replacement as the battery nears depletion.
- What is a "use before date" (UBD)?
Pacemakers and defibrillators are powered by a battery. The United States pacemaker industry is regulated by the FDA and based on projected battery life-span, each device is assigned an expiration date or "use before date." Devices reaching this date can no longer be sold or used in the United States and therefore must be destroyed. Instead of destroying these new life-saving devices, the pacemaker industry donates inventory nearing its "use before date" to Heartbeat International who provides (ships) it to our Pacemaker Banks to save lives of the indigent and ill worldwide.
- How long will a pacemaker work after the UBD?
Scientific studies have shown that the battery life extends an additional 8-10 years even after expiration of 'use before date.' And for dying patients outside the United States, little boys, girls, mothers or fathers and sometimes little babies, these valuable years remaining are a LIFETIME!
- Where are Heartbeat International Pacemaker Banks located?
- What is the Mission and what are your values?
- Do children sometimes need pacemakers also?
Yes. Unfortunately, heart disease can affect anyone, no matter how young or old. Children can be born with a number of abnormalities including abnormalities of the heart. Most commonly these abnormalities involve a heart valve or 'hole' in the heart. On occasion the abnormality affects the heart's electrical system, and a pacemaker may be needed.
We believe in the sanctity of human life, regardless of age, sex, race, religious or political affiliation and believe it is our duty to help relieve the pain and suffering of heart patients worldwide. To date our youngest patient of record is less than 24 hours old and the eldest 102 years old.
- How are pacemaker banks established?
A Pacemaker Bank is a functional entity of Heartbeat International and is governed by a Board of Directors and comprised of a Rotary club, trained and experienced physicians, and a local hospital capable of supporting a pacemaker implant.
Pacemaker Banks are so designated only after agreeing to strict operating guidelines and policies, and by completing an application process that is reviewed and voted upon by the Heartbeat International Board of Directors.
If you are interested in sponsoring a new Pacemaker Bank and would like a copy of the Heartbeat International Pacemaker Bank operating guidelines and policies, and an application, please email us at info@heartbeatintl.org.
- What is Rotary's involvement in Heartbeat International?
Rotary's fingerprints can be found in the very fabric of the Heartbeat International Mission, helping to shape the first Pacemaker Bank model and continually serving as the basis for our Pacemaker Banks. Rotary International was instrumental in securing economic support of the Heartbeat International pacemaker program early on by providing the first grant (a Health, Hunger and Humanity grant,launching Heartbeat International's Mission of saving lives using Pacemakers as Peacemakers.
Today, Rotary's local clubs remain an integral part of the Heartbeat International Pacemaker Bank model, helping to ensure the integrity of our pacemaker program. Participating Rotarians act as overseer by qualifying recipients as indigent, and matching patient (recipient) to volunteer physician. Rotary clubs often times cover incidental costs such as travel, food and accommodations for patients pre-implant surgery. Rotary clubs worldwide are encouraged to support our Mission of Making "Poor" Hearts Beat Better in a joined crusade against heart disease.
If your Rotary club is interested in sponsoring a new or existing Pacemaker Bank, please email us at info@heartbeatint.org. Or to learn more about a specific Pacemaker Bank, [Click here].
- Is Heartbeat International a 501(c)(3)?
Yes. Heartbeat International is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and its letter of exemption is on file with the Internal Revenue Service.
- Where does Heartbeat International get its money / funding?
Heartbeat International is not government funded and relies on voluntary donations, private grants and fundraising efforts to support its Mission of Making "Poor" Hearts Beat Better around the world.
Unfortunately, the need for implants for those indigent and ill are greater than our resources. While indigent patients in our program are provided all services (device, implant surgery and follow-up) free of charge, the burden of covering operating expenses such as shipping and medical education rests on the Heartbeat International network (Pacemaker Bank volunteer medical team, Rotary and Tampa staff) and its supporters. We would love to double the amount of implants but WE NEED YOUR HELP and the support of your friends and family.
If you would like to Jumpstart-a-Heart or make a donation in support of our Mission of saving lives using Pacemakers as Peacemakers, please [Click here]. To learn how you can become a Sponsor, please email us your interests at info@heartbeatintl.org. Or to learn the many other ways you can support our Mission, [Click here.]
- What does it cost you to implant a pacemaker, and how does that compare with the cost in the US?
In the United States, the cost just to implant a pacemaker runs between $25,000 and $50,000 (est.) Heartbeat International and its pacemaker program can provide implant surgery and follow-up care for the unbelievable low cost of $500 a patient! Yes, only $500 to SAVE A LIFE! Better yet, Heartbeat International patients who qualify as indigent pay NOTHING!
The burden of supporting our Mission rests entirely on the Heartbeat International staff and family of Pacemaker Banks, Rotary clubs and individual supporters. Fundraisers such as our annual international wine tasting and auction held in Tampa, Florida, help to offset operating expenses and fund our annual educational workshop. Physicians and medical staff at our Pacemaker Banks worldwide are encouraged to attend the workshop 'free of charge' and are given complimentary access to the widely respected and recognized American College of Cardiology scientific sessions.
- How can I make a donation?
Click here to make an online donation. Or give the gift of life by joining our Jumpstart-a-Heart membership or Henry D. McIntosh Fellowship. [Click here] to learn other ways in which you can support our Mission of saving lives using Pacemaker as Peacemakers.
- Will my donation make a difference?
Your donation will be life-saving and will help further our Mission of saving lives using Pacemakers as Peacemakers. No amount, whether great or small, is ever wasted and is equally valuable in the worldwide crusade against treatable heart disease.
- Can I receive tax credits for my donation?
Heartbeat International is a registered 501(c)(3) charity and is eligible to receive tax deductible contributions. Please refer to your tax advisor for details.
- Can employees support non-United Way charities through United Way?
Many United Ways offer donor choice where employees can write in a charity of their choice. To ensure your Gift for Life is honored, send us an email at info@heartbeatintl.org advising of donations made and we will advise you upon receipt.
- Do you implant new or used pacemakers?
Heartbeat International only ships brand new cardiac pacing devices to our Pacemaker Banks to implant into our patients (recipients).
While Heartbeat International cannot accept previously used devices, we humbly refer you to a local non-profit based in Montana who specializes in recycling used devices outside the U.S. Contact information is below:
Heart to Heart
Attn: Bill Daem
220 34 Street, West
Billings, Montana 59102
(406)656-7687
- Can I send you a testimonial about how my pacemaker changed my life?
We would be honored to hear your story. Click here to submit.
- What is your overhead and fundraising to income ratio?
At Heartbeat International, we take stewardship seriously and work hard to maintain a low ratio of overhead to program expenses. That's why as much as 93% of our expenditures are dedicated to our life-saving programs. [Click here] to see a breakdown of expenses.
- Do you have any awards or certifications as a non-profit?