To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

CHAPEL HILL – A new center at UNC Chapel Hill could provide research to find a cure for one of North Carolina's deadliest diseases.

State and university leaders officially opened the UNC McAllister Heart Institute Wednesday. A $7 million donation from Dr. Chip McAllister made the facility for cardiovascular research possible.

UNC Chapel Hill researchers say 2.5 million North Carolina adults suffer from some type of heart or vascular disease. They say cardiovascular diseases kill about 21,000 people in our state each year.

For State Rep. Becky Carney, being at the dedication was personal. On April 2, she went into sudden cardiac arrest after collapsing in her office.

She survived, thanks in part she says to research done at UNC.

The green glow from lab equipment lights up a petri dish inside a UNC McAllister Heart Institute lab.

As she toured the facility, she surveyed zebra fish in the laboratories, which help researchers see cardiovascular arteries and muscles.

"From fish or mice, or whatever, whatever it takes for us to find answers and find cures," she said.

Since 2000, the Cardiovascular Biology Center has made strides in finding causes and cures for cardiovascular diseases like Carney's. But the donation from McZllister has furthered research. Now the facility is named for him.

"I feel very humbled about it, very proud," McAllister said

He said stories like Carney's strengthened his resolve to open the heart institute and continue cardiovascular research in the state.

"This is certainly going to affect people in North Carolina and their cardiovascular wellbeing," he said. "But it will also affect the people of our nation, and in all probability, people in the world."

Carney said she's glad to know heart patients everywhere will continue to benefit from research at UNC. She hopes the gains they make here save lives like hers here at home.

"For people in North Carolina, it's a huge step forward for us," she said.