Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women, and gaps in care and access persist between women and men. Women's health has long been viewed by investors as a niche market, representing just 2% of the more than $41.2 billion in healthcare venture funding in 2023.
To help address the pervasive lack of investment in women's health, Sally Ross Soter of Palm Beach, Florida has donated $15 million to support the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women Venture Fund. The Association, celebrating 100 years of lifesaving service as the world's leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, announced the launch of the venture fund during its Centennial in June. The fund aims to expand scientific research focused on women and accelerate the translation of those research findings into better ways to care for patients.
Soter's commitment to and philanthropic support of the mission of the American Heart Association spans decades. She has been a leader in funding women's health research, supporting the launch of the first Go Red for Women Strategically Focused Research Network in 2015 and providing an additional gift to continue the work in 2020. Sally's passion for improving women's health is the driving force behind her remarkable generosity.
As she often says, 'legacy matters' and this new gift is another powerful example of her commitment to the Association's mission and to creating a healthier future for women everywhere." Nancy Brown,.