Heart to Heart responding to cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe

OLATHE, Kan./November 26, 2008 — Heart to Heart International Inc., a leading global humanitarian organization, today announced that it is responding to a national emergency in Zimbabwe, where an outbreak of cholera is threatening to consume the southern African nation.

“The situation in Zimbabwe is dire and we are responding,” said Dr. Jeff DeGraffenreid, Heart to Heart’s chief operating officer. “We have been working with local partners in Zimbabwe for several years, so we are well-positioned to help contain the spread of this disease.”

Health officials in Zimbabwe say that nearly 14,000 cases have been reported since August and 589 have already died from the disease. Cholera is an infectious disease that spreads quickly when clean water and adequate sanitation are short supply. Dehydration and diarrhea often lead to more serious, opportunistic diseases without proper medical treatment—as is the case in Zimbabwe, where more than half of the country’s districts are reporting cases of cholera.

Heart to Heart has already sent one shipment of medical aid to its local partner in Nhowe. The shipment is worth nearly $377,000 and contains antibiotics, pain relievers, vitamins and medical supplies. The organization is airlifting more emergency aid via FedEx to partners based in the capital city of Harare.

Heart to Heart is preparing additional shipments of aid, as needed. The organization needs financial support to continue to address this outbreak.

Individuals, groups and companies interested in supporting this crisis response may donate online to Heart to Heart’s Crisis Response Fund at www.hearttoheart.org, call in their donation using Heart to Heart’s toll-free number at 866-341-GIVE, or send a check or money order to Heart to Heart International at 401 S. Clairborne, Suite 302; Olathe, KS 66062.