CLEVELAND — Cleveland Clinic has received a $30 million donation from the family of Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam to help support and expand cardiovascular genetics research.
The $30 million gift will establish the Haslam Family Section for Cardiovascular Genetics at the Sydell and Arnold Miller Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute. In addition, the funds will help provide genetic testing for family members of any Cleveland Clinic patient diagnosed with an inherited heart condition.
For the Haslam family, this cause hits very close to home.
Ten years ago, Ann Haslam-Bailey, sister of Jimmy Haslam, was airlifted to Cleveland Clinic after experiencing a full aortic dissection, the same affliction that caused the death of her mother at age 42 and grandfather at age 31.
"I was here for over three weeks and had unbelievable care from the Clinic," Haslam-Bailey told 3News in an exclusive interview. "From the doctors, to the nurses, to the woman who cleaned my room, everybody was so unbelievably kind to me."
According to Cleveland Clinic, cardiovascular genetics focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of genetic disorders affecting the cardiovascular system, including inherited conditions such as arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and vascular disease.
Genetic testing for patients with inherited heart conditions will allow for early detection and intervention, enabling doctors to create a personalized care path for patients.
"It's estimated around 1 in 500 people have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the most common inherited heart condition, which is a lot of people, so it’s vital family members of anyone who has an inherited heart condition be evaluated," explained Dr. Milind Desai, director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center at Cleveland Clinic.
Desai, who also serves as medical director of Cleveland Clinic's Aorta Center and vice chair of the Heart Vascular Thoracic Institute, was the doctor who treated Haslam-Bailey during her battle with aortic dissection. He also holds the title of Haslam Family Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine, which was also created by the $30 million gift.
"I am grateful to the Bailey-Haslam family, whose longstanding commitment to giving back will now help save the lives of those who may otherwise not know they are at risk for cardiovascular disease," Desai added.