MidFirst Bank Donates $35,000 to The Heart Foundation to Support Heart Disease Research and Awareness

Donation builds on MidFirst’s longstanding relationship with The Heart Foundation and Chairman Mark Litman

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MidFirst Bank ("MidFirst"), the largest privately owned bank in the nation, today announced a $35,000 donation to The Heart Foundation, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit with a mission to save lives from heart disease by increasing awareness, educating the public and funding innovative research for improved methods of prevention, detection and treatment.

MidFirst’s support of The Heart Foundation spans a decade, reflecting the bank’s longstanding relationship with the organization and its chairman, Mark Litman, a MidFirst client since 2012. This year also marks MidFirst’s fifth year as presenting sponsor of the Galpin Motors Golf Classic benefiting The Heart Foundation. Together, these efforts underscore the bank’s commitment to supporting clients and organizations making a meaningful difference in the communities it serves.

“At MidFirst, we believe strong relationships extend beyond banking,” said Jason DiNapoli, president of MidFirst Bank California. “Mark has been a valued client for many years, and we have seen firsthand his deep commitment to turning personal loss into meaningful action. We are proud to support The Heart Foundation and its work to advance awareness, increase early detection and fund innovative research in the fight against heart disease.”

Litman helped establish The Steven S. Cohen Heart Fund in 1996 following the sudden death of his best friend, Steven S. Cohen, who suffered a heart attack at age 35. Cohen appeared healthy, exercised regularly and had received a clean bill of health shortly before his death. The organization later became The Heart Foundation and has continued to build on Cohen’s legacy through its work to combat heart disease, which remains the leading cause of death in the United States.

The Heart Foundation funds cardiovascular research at the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai under the direction of cardiologist Dr. P.K. Shah and has established the Steven S. Cohen Endowed Fellowship in Atherosclerosis Research to help develop the next generation of physician-researchers working to better understand, prevent and treat cardiovascular disease.

“MidFirst’s continued support helps us carry forward the mission that began in Steve’s memory 30 years ago,” said Litman. “This support allows us to educate more people about heart disease while advancing research aimed at improving how it is prevented, detected and treated.”

About MidFirst Bank

With over $42 billion in assets, MidFirst Bank is family owned and the largest privately owned bank in the United States. MidFirst provides commercial lending, private banking, wealth management and mortgage servicing nationally with locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah.

MidFirst demonstrates a strong commitment to community investment through philanthropy, volunteerism and partnerships with organizations that advance healthcare, education, and civic development. For more information on MidFirst Bank visit midfirst.com.

About The Heart Foundation

The Heart Foundation’s mission is to save lives from heart disease by increasing awareness, educating the public and funding innovative research for improved methods of prevention, detection and treatment. Established in 1996 in memory of Steven S. Cohen, the Foundation supports cardiovascular research at the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai. For more information, visit: theheartfoundation.org.