Why a vascular medicine foundation?
Large, small and tiny vessels run through the entire body – where there is no blood, there is no life. Sick vessels mean sick organs. Cardiovascular diseases remain the number one cause of death in Germany and other countries. Modern lifestyle, widespread diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia contribute to this. Vascular medicine (angiology) is thus an important branch of medicine with interfaces to many other specialties such as cardiology (heart medicine), neurology (neurological medicine), hemostaseology (blood coagulation disorders) or radiology (medical imaging and therapeutic use of certain types of radiation).
Why a European foundation?
In Germany, as in other countries, cutting-edge university medicine is available mainly in metropolitan regions. EFVM is committed to ensuring that high-performance medicine also benefits people in non-metropolitan regions. To this end, medical care structures are being established that can serve as models for other countries. Since the work of the foundation is financed by donations, potential donors throughout Europe are to be approached.
Who finances the foundation?
The EFVM is a foundation under private law and non-profit, which is financed by donations. The members work on a voluntary basis.
Who and what is promoted?
The EFVM is committed to modern diagnostics and therapy for people with vascular diseases and to the prevention of vascular diseases and their consequences. To this end, it promotes the establishment of appropriate care structures in non-metropolitan regions, care research and other scientific projects, as well as projects in migration medicine.
What does the EFVM take care of?
We are concerned with prevention and with the adequate care of people with vascular diseases. This includes medical, scientific, and utility aspects. In addition, there are the challenges of migration and immigration in Germany, Europe and worldwide.
What are the current projects?
We work closely with the Brandenburg Medical School (MHB) to bring university medicine to people in rural regions of Brandenburg. The EFVM participates in the financing and project planning of scientific studies, for example in the establishment of a European amputation register. We support the dissemination of the medical phrasebook “Blue Book of Migration Medicine” and work with the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone, to help improve maternal-child health there and in the training of study nurses and residents.