Midwest Affiliate Update

Dear Midwest Affiliate volunteers, staff and colleagues:

With the holidays behind us—and American Heart Month fast approaching—we are in the midst of our busiest time of year. You are the driving force behind our lifesaving mission, and I am proud to provide the following examples of how you are making a difference in the lives of millions of Midwesterners every day.

Thank you and congratulations to all who have made the following successes possible!

Volunteers’ compelling stories land front page coverage—and more!—in Chicago Tribune

I’m always so grateful and moved when cardiovascular disease survivors share their courageous and passionate stories to help others understand the importance of our mission. The impact these individuals make is remarkable, igniting passion and compelling others to take action to protect their own health. Several of those extraordinary survivors have reached millions of people by sharing their journey with heart disease, and helped turn this recent Chicago Tribune article into a multi-faceted, full-page spread about women and heart disease. Please copy and paste the link below to your internet browser, and be sure to click on the “related links” to read all four personal stories, as well as to view the other resources provided. Congratulations to metro Chicago volunteers Annabelle Volgman, MD, president of the metro Chicago board, and Joan Briller, MD, who were both quoted, and thank you to the staff and volunteers who worked together on this phenomenal awareness piece!

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/health/chi-women-heart-disease-introdec29,0,4744331.story

Dr. Andy Rauh, Midwest Affiliate board member paves the way to new partnerships

I am so proud of the talented leaders that guide our affiliate through their work on our affiliate and local boards of directors, and am delighted to share with you a great example of one individual’s service in support of our mission. Affiliate and metro Chicago board member Andy Rauh, MD, in partnership with our youth market staff, was able to leverage his local relationships to gain support for our Jump Rope For Heart and Hoops For Heart programs in his own community of River Forest, IL. As a result of Andy’s efforts, three new schools have registered for Jump and Hoops (St. Luke, St. Vincent Ferrer and Lincoln Elementary)! Thank you and congratulations to Andy and our staff for helping to expand the reach of our important youth market programs!

Thank you for your passionate commitment to the lifesaving mission of the American Heart Association! The work of the volunteers and staff of the Midwest Affiliate is changing lives – and saving lives.

Best regards,

Kevin


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Kevin Harker
Executive Vice President
Midwest Affiliate