Each year, in the Netherlands, 15,000 people have a cardiac arrest. An internal cardiac defibrillator (ICD) can prevent a sudden cardiac arrest by administering a shock. Unfortunately, 33% of the patients after an ICD-shock camp with serious psychological complaints including anxiety and stress, which again increases the chance of developing serious heart rhythm disorders. Art therapy has proven beneficial effect on the psychological wellbeing and could perhaps be the best weapon against anxiety and stress.

Dr Rachel ter Bekke, researcher Yesim Kaya and artist Claudia Volders have started a crowdfunding campaign to finance research into this via the HeArt Ma’at project. HeArt Ma’at offers personalized art therapy to patients who have had one or more ICD-shocks due to cardiac arrest. Friends, family and medical professionals will be included in the therapy.

CARIM Crijns Crowdfunding Doubler

CARIM will support the project with an additional € 25,000 if the crowdfunding goals has been reached via the CARIM Crijns Crowdfunding Doubler. The CARIM Crijns Crowdfunding doubler offers enthusiastic researchers financial support in reaching their crowdfunding goals and is yearly awarded.

Art workshop for ESC (European Society of Cardiology) members

Are you an ESC member, have you always wanted to discover your artistic talents and would you like to contribute to charity? Then join the team 'HeArt Ma'at goes to ESC HeART Gallery' and donate 150 euros or let family and friends sponsor you. Target amount of 150 euros reached? Then you will officially participate in a two-day art workshop under the guidance of Claudia Volders on 9 & 23 March from 10:00-14:00h. During this workshop artworks will be created which will be submitted to the art gallery of the ESC Congress 2024 in London. The chosen artworks will be auctioned with all proceeds going to the HeArt Ma'at project. There are a limited number of places available, so please register quickly.