Barbra Streisand makes heartfelt pledge to help US charity

The Academy Award-winning entertainer made her generous pledge to help the Women's Heart Centre at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in LA reach it’s fundraising goal of $10m.

In a video posted on her website, Streisand says she hopes to raise the money for research, treatment and education about heart disease in women – the number-one killer of women in the US.

Streisand said she started the campaign using Crowdrise, a new online fundraising community that unites people for worthwhile causes.

In the video, she says: “I must share something with you that I find shocking… Did you know that heart disease takes the lives of more women than all [other] cancers combined? Can you imagine? I was so surprised when I learned this.

“Now more women die from heart disease than men and here’s something even more shocking – for the past 50 years, heart disease research was mostly done on men – in spite of the fact the symptoms of a heart attack are often different in women than in men…

“How is this possible? Women are different physiologically from men –and we are paying a terrible price for this knowledge gap. But the Cedars Sinai Heart Centre knows the difference…

She adds: “I am committed to taking on this epidemic, and I need all of your help. I hope to raise $10m dollars (of which I will match up to $5m) for research, treatment and education on women’s heart disease… Please join me in supporting this life-giving programme.”

To donate, visit Streisand’s website at www.crowdrise.com/barbrastreisand