Advocacy Volunteer Submits Letters to the Editor in Support of Tobacco Tax

Heart association backs tobacco tax
The State Journal Register

The American Heart Association wants to express its support for the governor’s proposal to increase the tobacco tax.
We understand that everybody is hurting and that smokers are not immune from economic hardship. However, we feel that this is the best out of the revenue-generating options on the table because there is a direct link between raising tobacco taxes and saving lives by encouraging people to quit smoking and discouraging kids from starting this deadly habit. In addition to saving lives and preventing misery caused by smoking-related illness, this measure would save taxpayer dollars spent on health-care costs that are a direct result of the usage of the product which is being taxed.

Kathleen L. Grady, PhD, APN
Chair
American Heart Association
State of Illinois Advocacy Committee

Tobacco tax will save lives
Daily Herald

The American Heart Association wants to express its support for the governor's proposal to increase the tobacco tax.

We understand that everybody is hurting and that smokers are not immune from economic hardship. However, we feel that this is the best out of the revenue-generating options on the table, because there is a direct link between raising tobacco taxes and saving lives by encouraging people to quit smoking and discouraging kids from starting this deadly habit.

In addition to saving lives and preventing misery caused by smoking-related illness, this measure would also save taxpayer dollars spent on health-care costs that are a direct result of the usage of the product which is being taxed.

Kathleen L. Grady
American Heart Association

Volunteers needed for National Start! Walking Day!

We are in need of volunteers on Wednesday, April 8th to turn our National Start! Walking Day route GREEN! The route is from Union Station to the Thompson Center via Adams and LaSalle Streets. We would be looking for your help from 11:30am-12:30pm to stand on LaSalle St. with green Start! balloons and wearing green Start! shirts lining the route.

Volunteers should meet at the AHA office building 208 S. LaSalle at 11am for instructions and to pick up your Start! Green T-shirt.

After the walk, join us at the National Start! Walking Day rally at the Thompson Center for mini workouts with the NBC-5 fitness team, music, giveaways and more!

Please contact Traci.Bruce@heart.org to sign up! Visit http://mystartonline.org/ to find out how you can start walking in your community!

Want to START the fitness conversation with legislators? Don't forget to take action through You're the Cure to make fitness in Illinois schools a priority! Follow this link to take action today:

Tell Legislators to Support Fitness in Illinois Schools!

Save the Date! SSEEO Announces Topic for April 2009 Call-In

Stroke Survivors Empowering Each Other (SSEEO) invites you to join a call-in support group for stroke survivors and their caregivers!

The SSEEO Toll-Free Telephone Stroke Support Group builds community, provides support and shares information by connecting survivors, caregivers, health professionals and other stroke stakeholders. The calls last approximately 60 minutes with the last 30 minutes reserved for questions and conversation. Please don’t forget to register by following the instructions below.

Community Re-entry: Reengaging with Life
12pm Central time
Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

A panel of experts will be discussing ideas, tips and strategies to assist the stroke survivor with issues such as; returning to work, traveling, driving programs, volunteering and other useful ideas to help with the transition after having a stroke. Please bring your questions, concerns and ideas to this informational call.

Karen Goodlow is the Manager of Day Rehabilitation at Alexian Brothers Rehabilitation

Deborah Giesler, MS CCC/SLP is the Executive Director of Midwest Brain Injury Clubhouse. Deborah is a speech pathologist with over 16 years of brain injury rehabilitation experience. She is one of the founding members of the Midwest Brain Injury Clubhouse in Chicago. She is also on staff as a speech pathologist at Lutheran General Hospital.

Mickey Clancy is a 12-year stroke survivor. She is a founder and chair of SSEEO. Mickey is also involved with the IL Stroke Task Force and the AHA IL Advocacy Board. Mickey’s interests are volunteering, advocacy and educating the public about stroke.

IMPORTANT CALL-IN INFORMATION: Participation on the calls is absolutely free but advance registration is required due to limited line availability. Please contact us at 1-800-677-5481 ext. 7438 or http://www.sseeo.org/ and provide the following information: First and last name(s), mailing address, e-mail address and telephone number. We will get back to you with an 800 call-in number and pass code which will allow you to access the conference call.

Listen & Support • Educate & Learn • Advocate & Change

Stroke Bill Passes House Unanimously!

Thanks to your efforts in contacting Illinois legislators - House Bill 2244, a bill amended to improve emergency response and treatment of stroke, has passed the House unanimously with a vote of 116-0 and now has over 30 co-sponsors!

Thank your Representative for their support by following the link below:

Thank Your Representative for Voting for HB 2244!

Thank you for your continued support on this important legislative issue.

Free Concert Educates Public on Power to End Stroke

Young Stroke Survivor Speaks Out!

Canadian native, Nicole Fournier suffered from a stroke on July 1, 2004 when she was just 8 years old. As you will see in the video, she has not only overcome the effects of her stroke, but has become an inspiration for all those fighting to improve response and treatment of stroke.

Want to find out how you can help in the fight against stroke here in Illinois? Join You're the Cure today at www.americanheart.org/yourethecure to receive updates and take action on important legislation that will improve the emergency response and treatment of stroke in Illinois!

Are you a Stroke Survivor or do you know someone who has had a stroke? Visit Stroke Survivors Empowering Each Other (SSEEO) at http://www.sseeo.org/ to see how you can make a difference in your community!

Stroke Survivor Spotlight: Phyllis Weiss

Meet Phyllis Weiss, passionate stroke survivor and advocate for the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association.

Phyllis was recently featured on Chicagoland's television - follow this link to listen to her story of survival:
http://cltv.trb.com/video/?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=3518820

Letter to the Editor Thanks Gov.Quinn

Governor Pat Quinn recognized the local heroes who used automated external defibrillators to save the lives of people in cardiac arrest. As we celebrate the lives saved, we thank Gov. Quinn for his years of leadership and dedication in ensuring that AEDs are available throughout Illinois.

Years ago, before most people had even heard of an AED, then-Lt. Gov. Quinn learned of the lifesaving potential of this technology and decided that it should be made available as widely as possible throughout our state. And today, as we salute those who have used AEDs to save lives, we also salute the man whose work is in no small measure responsible for these miracles.

While some may find Governor Quinn to be a relatively new face on the scene, to those of us at the American Heart Association, he is a longtime, dedicated and important ally in our fight against heart disease and stroke. Thank you, Governor, for your own heroic efforts. We look forward to working with you to build on the success of these lifesaving initiatives.

Dr. David Cooke
President, American Heart Association Midwest Affiliate
Kathleen L. Grady
American Heart Association. Illinois Advocacy Committee

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=273795
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