The American Heart Association takes next step in cloud-based exchange by accepting donations of cryptocurrency.
DALLAS, March 29, 2022 — The American Heart Association sees the accelerated deployment of blockchain technology as a means to drive healthcare research and fund the mission. The Association is expanding its participation in the artificial intelligence ecosphere beyond information exchange to include crypto donations.
“As the American Heart Association grows and evolves, embracing innovation in all areas is important as we seek new treatments to prevent cardiovascular disease and optimize brain health,” said Raymond P. Vara, Jr., chairman of the board of the American Heart Association. “Accepting cryptocurrency donations by utilizing blockchain technologies gives supporters options on how they can contribute to our lifesaving mission.”
The American Heart Association, devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, is continuing the immersion of blockchain into other areas of the organization’s work, beyond evidence-based data, by allowing supporters to give donations of cryptocurrency through the Giving Block. The accelerated blockchain transaction technology will continue to assist the American Heart Association’s work to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.
Currently cryptocurrency donors are able to double their donations made to the American Heart Association through a match of up to $10 million processed by the Giving Block.
According to an article in the American Heart Association’s premier scientific journal, Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, blockchain technology’s cloud-based application has the potential to positively disrupt current healthcare research systems and processes through applications which are currently in the early stages of design and development. The solutions can increase healthcare data authenticity, transparency and operations efficiency for everyday exchanges from the security of electronic health records to insurance claim validation.
The American Heart Association was an early adopter of blockchain technology offering it to the scientific community through a data challenge hosted on the Precision Medicine Platform starting in 2020. Blockchain technology enabled data sharing of an extensive library of global COVID-19 datasets, provided by BurstIQ, that led to novel insights in the relationships between COVID-19, social determinants of health, and health disparities on the burden of illness and mortality.
“In the past two years, the pandemic created a heightened sense of urgency and demand for real-time information exchange for research collaboration. Blockchain was a valuable resource we could leverage to assist,” said Jennifer L. Hall, Ph.D.
chief of data science, American Heart Association. “Now, we’re leveraging more blockchain solutions to further benefit the work of the Association. Accepting cryptocurrency donations is the next step.”
For more information on how to make a cryptocurrency gift to the American Heart Association visit heart.org/crypto.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries: 214-706-1173
Linzy Cotaya: 504-827-3446; linzy.cotaya@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
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