Beebe’s Mended Hearts celebrates 10 years

Heart disease is the #1 killer of Americans, totaling more than 600,000 deaths annually. Fortunately, there are even more survivors, like Joseph Venerus.

Venerus is a member of Mended Hearts, a group that offers support for those who have had heart surgery or heart-related conditions.

First they visit those in the hospital before and after heart surgeries. Venerus says, “This provides some assurance that they are going to be okay because we have had the same situation that the visitor has had.”

This cardiovascular peer-to-peer support group also hosts monthly meetings for emotional and mental support. Some members also spend time helping recovering patients exercise at Beebe’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Center in Rehoboth Beach.

Beebe had the first certified program in Delaware for cardiac rehab and its been in existence for more than 20 years. They provide a traditional cardiac rehab program and an intensive cardiac rehab program.

The cardiac rehab center’s manager says they work hand-in-hand with Mended Hearts.

Besides providing support to patients, they also give back to the community through an annual benefit. The money raised goes to purchase some equipment in the cardiac rehab area. It also gives to an area in the Beebe foundation that supports equipment for infants and newborns that have had heart problems.