Global music icon Taylor Swift has donated $1 million to the American Heart Association (AHA) in honor of her father, Scott Swift. The generous gift will support the AHA's mission to advance scientific research, strengthen prevention and treatment efforts, and expand access to lifesaving care within communities.
Swift's donation comes after her 73-year-old father underwent quintuple bypass surgery earlier this year. According to the Mayo Clinic, this type of surgery creates a new path for blood to flow around blocked arteries in the heart. Taylor, along with her brother Austin and their mother Andrea, were by Scott's side throughout the surgery and recovery. The procedure was prompted by a routine check-up, during which doctors detected a condition that required immediate attention; it was not the result of a heart attack.
Nancy Brown, the chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, expressed her gratitude for Swift's contribution. "Taylor Swift's remarkable generosity will create lasting change far beyond its financial value," Brown stated. She also acknowledged the commonality of cardiovascular disease, noting that it affects nearly half of American adults. Brown hopes that Swift's commitment to her father's health will inspire others to take their own heart health seriously, strengthen prevention efforts, and improve controllable risk factors.
The American Heart Association is dedicated to ensuring equitable health in every community. Supported by over 35 million volunteers across the globe, the organization has been a leading source of health information for over a century. The AHA funds groundbreaking research, advocates for public health, and provides resources to improve the lives of those affected by cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Heart disease and stroke claim more lives in the United States than all cancers and chronic lower respiratory diseases combined.
Brown also noted Swift's association with the symbol of heart hands. The American Heart Association uses the same gesture to honor those affected by heart conditions. Brown hopes that together, people can "raise our collective heart hands and drive meaningful change against this disease, shaping a healthier future for generations to come".
Swift has a history of donating to charitable causes, including "Feeding America". Her contributions have had a real impact on people's lives.
