In the News

CV Therapeutics Joins National Corporate Advisory Board
The VDF welcomes CV Therapeutics to its National Corporate Advisory Board. The goal of the board is to reduce the devastating effects and mortality from vascular disease by providing support, participating in an annual roundtable discussion on vascular health initiatives, and helping keep vascular health concerns high on the national agenda. CV Therapeutics joins other leading companies that are members of the National Corporate Advisory Board, including Diomed Holdings, Inc., Cordis Endovascular, Bristol- Myers Squibb/Sanofi-Synthelabo, Bard Peripheral Vascular, Harrah's Entertainment, and W.L. Gore.

New Brochure
The VDF has just published a new brochure about varicose veins, made possible through an unrestricted educational grant from VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc. The brochure discusses risks, signs, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Contact us by letter, e-mail, or phone to have an individual copy sent to you. Additional copies are available for health-care professionals.

Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Enrollment Begins
Starting November 15, 2005, everyone on Medicare can sign up for new prescription drug coverage, which will begin January 1, 2006. This new benefit is a result of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, which offers voluntary Medicare prescription drug coverage for the 42 million seniors and people with certain disabilities who are on Medicare. The Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit provides persons with Medicare coverage access to a wide array of medicines. Enrollees have a choice of using brand or generic medicines and of receiving medicine from their local pharmacy or through the mail.

To get this prescription coverage, you must enroll, choose a Medicare-approved prescription-drug plan in your area that meets your needs, such as medications you take for vascular disease, as well as heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and others. Each plan will cover different medications and have different costs, so review them carefully to save money on your prescription drug costs.

Remember that you have to sign up. To request a free brochure on how to get started with Medicare prescription-drug coverage, call 1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227) or get more information online at www.MedicareRxEducation.org.

Combined Federal Campaign Information
If you're a Federal employee or military personnel, please consider supporting the VDF through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). The CFC is the annual workplace fundraising drive conducted by Federal employees each fall. Designate VDF as your charity of choice by placing our official campaign number, #2527, on your pledge card.