A B O U T U S
Rheumatic Rescue began in 2009 and has flourished to become a viable clinical, educational, and research program with the potential of saving the lives of hundreds of children as well as influencing clinical protocol for rheumatic heart disease (RHD). The target population is children of Samoa,
specifically ages 5 to 15 years. These years have been identified as the time of vulnerability to the cause and effect of RHD.
specifically ages 5 to 15 years. These years have been identified as the time of vulnerability to the cause and effect of RHD.
RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE
According to the World Heart Federation, rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is “the most common acquired heart disease in children in many countries of the world, especially in developing countries,” and “is responsible for about 233,000 deaths annually,” (www.world-heart-federation.org). The disease is most commonly acquired by children ages 5 to 15 years. Environmental risk factors include crowding, poor hygiene, under nutrition, and lack of access to health care...
A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT
Students from Brigham Young University and Utah Vally University, along with their instructors, have the opportunity of implementing and refining an education program to share with children and their
caregivers. The program draws attention to the seriousness of a sore throat and outlines the appropriate actions to be taken. A team of echocardiograph technicians, led by a board certified cardiologist, complete the program by offering free echo screenings for the children. The involvement with and
oversight of the rheumatic program by indigenous nurses, doctors and governmental health agencies
has been, and will continue to be, essential to the overall success of the program.
caregivers. The program draws attention to the seriousness of a sore throat and outlines the appropriate actions to be taken. A team of echocardiograph technicians, led by a board certified cardiologist, complete the program by offering free echo screenings for the children. The involvement with and
oversight of the rheumatic program by indigenous nurses, doctors and governmental health agencies
has been, and will continue to be, essential to the overall success of the program.
For more information from our sponsor universities, click here:
our mission
The mission of Rheumatic Rescue is to reduce the burden of childhood rheumatic heart disease through
Health promotion & education
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC SCREENING & FOLLOW-UP
GENETICS RESEARCH
Rheumatic Rescue (RR) is a coordinative effort that combines scientific disciplines to create a comprehensive program capable of effecting change and generating new and insightful information relative to RHD.
The children we find that are sick usually don’t know it, but their quality of life, and ability to function are at risk. In the country of Samoa, physical health is important in sustaining life. With the help from our volunteers and donors, we can intervene and help these children lead relatively normal lives. Our program can be viewed as a major research project, an awareness campaign, and a humanitarian effort because we are tackling this problem from all angles. Because of this, and with your help, we can fulfill our aim to decrease rheumatic heart disease worldwide.
The children we find that are sick usually don’t know it, but their quality of life, and ability to function are at risk. In the country of Samoa, physical health is important in sustaining life. With the help from our volunteers and donors, we can intervene and help these children lead relatively normal lives. Our program can be viewed as a major research project, an awareness campaign, and a humanitarian effort because we are tackling this problem from all angles. Because of this, and with your help, we can fulfill our aim to decrease rheumatic heart disease worldwide.
