Two of our researchers have won this year’s prestigious Heart Hero Awards.

This award recognizes inspiring individuals who go above and beyond to make a difference and give hope to people living with heart and circulatory disease, those at risk, and their loved ones. This award recognizes people who make a difference.

Hero of the Year – Professor Ilya Behr

Our Hero of the Year award, which recognizes an amazing individual who has shown outstanding support for our mission, goes to Professor Elijah Behr, Professor of Cardiology, St George’s Hospital, St George’s, University of London was awarded.

Professor Behr’s research, funded by us, aims to find a cure for Brugada syndrome, a rare genetic heart disease that can cause sudden death. Motivated by a family’s personal experience with sudden death, Professor Behr’s life-saving research and compassionate approach have had a profound impact, providing hope to those affected by heart disease. Professor Behr and his team, who have recruited more than 1,000 volunteers, are analyzing DNA and using high-tech heart scans to find ways to improve the diagnosis of Brugada syndrome.

“We are honored to receive this recognition from the BHF community.”

Commenting on winning Heart Hero of the Year, Professor Elijah Behr said: It’s always nice to be recognized, but it’s especially moving when it comes from a patient. That’s the recognition from the BHF community. It gives you a feeling of great satisfaction and humility at the same time. Therefore, I am very honored to have been nominated and won the award. ”

Research Story of the Year – Professor Massimo Caputo

The Research Story of the Year award was presented to Professor Massimo Caputo, Professor of Congenital Heart Surgery at the Bristol Heart Institute. The awards recognize the most exciting research projects we have funded that have made headlines this year, as voted for by the public.

“My team and I are very happy.”

Professor Caputo’s project, which we funded, created a first-of-its-kind ‘cardiac plaster’ to repair abnormalities in the valves of large blood vessels that control blood flow from the heart to the lungs. The “plaster” can also repair the hole between her two main pumping chambers of the heart and can also be used in children. A ‘heart bandage’ could improve the way surgeons treat children with congenital heart disease, potentially reducing the need for open-heart surgery.

Professor Caputo said: “My team and I are delighted to have won BHF Research Story of the Year. I would like to thank you for your continued support.

“For years, families have asked why their child has to undergo the same heart surgery over and over again in childhood. Each surgery has the potential to save a life, but the experience It can be very stressful for children and their parents. We believe mesenchymal cell patches are the answer to solving these problems.”

This Christmas, our research is a living gift, helping to bring families together and get hearts excited for the coming Christmas.

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