About Us
We Are Mended Hearts
Founded by Dr. Dwight E. Harken in 1951, we are the nations oldest peer-to-peer community based support group for heart patients just like you! We are heart patients and caregivers ourselves. Mended Hearts' physician-endorsed, peer-to-peer support network assists patients and caregivers from "diagnoses through the journey of recovery " with social, emotional and practical support.
Patient Support
Adjusting to life after a heart event is challenging! YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Learn how to live a quality life after a heart event and how to integrate heart healthy lifestyle changes into your daily life. You have been given a second chance, make a difference!
Mended Little Hearts
Our chapter provides Bravery Bags to those children traveling out of state for medical procedures. We also have groups nationwide to address the needs of families of children with congenital heart diseases or defects (CHD's). You can learn more about what we do for these families at www.mendedhearts.org.
Chapter 290 Community Involvment
You can make a difference!
Anchorage Chapter #290 has been assisting the Anchorage community for 25 years. We are active in local hospitals and throughout the community providing moral support to heart patients, their families and caregivers. As such, our volunteers have visited with over 7000 bedside patients along with 4800+ family members/caregivers during this time period. Besides offering moral support, our trained and certified visitation members also provide educational information such as a personal copy of the Heart Guide as well as recommendations for healthy lifestyle choices and tips for medication adherence. This is very beneficial as increasing medical evidence points to the value of emotional support for heart patients during hospitalization and recovery. In addition, members conduct monthly support meetings where guest speakers discuss an array of heart related topics and members interact with one another discussing their concerns. Chapter 290 provides volunteers and financial support to health forums, MLH Bravery Bags, AHA heart walk/run, Go Red events and conducts fund raising events throughout the year in which we utilize the proceeds to assist the Anchorage community in fighting heart disease. Proceeds from our annual charity golf tournament have provided 30+ Automatic External Defibrillators’ (AED’s), and cardio fitness equipment to organizations in Anchorage and surrounding area.
Chapter Initiatives for 2025 Include:
1. Increase the number of members in Chapter 290 by 10%.
2. Increase the number of members in the Trained /Accredited Visitation Program by 50%.
3. Conduct monthly meetings with focus on patients and caregivers.
4. Provide Guest Speakers that discuss heart healthy topics.
5. Provide MH briefings/information at Cardiac Rehabs; health fairs in Anchorage, Mat Su, Kenai, Seward, and Fairbanks communities.
6. Conduct a successful Annual Charity Golf Tournament (August 5, 2025 @ JBER Moose Run (Hill Course)
7. Remain involved with Jump Rope for Kids; MAC Attack Hockey for Youth; Heart Run/Walk; Go Red for Women
8. Provide AED’s and cardio fitness equipment to community groups.
9. Continue to support Mended Little Hearts locally and nationally.
10. Support cardio fitness programs for heart patients and families throughout Alaska.
11. Increase our support for Children with Cardiovascular Disease
12. Continue our support of the Childrens' heart patient summer camp
