Every 43 seconds, a person dies from heart disease, stroke or another cardiovascular disease. This unsettling statistic is one of many concerns that fuels the mission of the American Heart Association nationally and among local chapters as well.
“We improve the health of Americans in many ways,” explained Mattie Lee, communications and marketing director at American Heart Association-Upstate. “We help people understand the importance of healthy lifestyle choices.”
The heart association’s outreach springs from significant research.
“We are the largest private, not-for-profit funding source for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease research next to the federal government,” said Lee. “And we have invested more than $5 billion in research, thanks to the generosity of donors and supporters.”
Research has produced many advanced lifesaving innovations, including “the first artificial heart valve, cholesterol-lowering drugs, heart transplantation and CPR techniques,” according to the American Heart Association.
Founded in 1924 amid unawareness of heart disease, the American Heart Association has become a pioneer in improving heart health and reducing deaths. The Dallas-based association is also credited as being “the nation’s leader in CPR education and training.”
Through the AHA’s commitment to improving communities’ quality of life, the nonprofit also dedicates time and effort promoting health equity among all people and circumstances to lawmakers and policymakers. The future of health care is fragile if health inequity is ignored, AHA notes: “… people who already face inequitable health risks are becoming even more at risk.”
“People in some under-resourced ZIP codes have shorter life expectancies than their neighbors just a few miles away,” the group’s website states. “And people in often-remote rural areas face significantly higher death rates from heart disease and stroke.”
According to the AHA, South Carolina is currently advocating for “tobacco pre-emption and retail licensure, flavors elimination in electronic cigarettes, CPR in schools funding, postpartum Medicaid coverage, blood pressure program funding and water access.”
The American Heart Association’s success trajectory honors its volunteers’ help and dedication. The foundation of volunteering for the AHA is rooted in participation, giving and advocating.
Three annual events bolster the American Heart Association Upstate’s revenue:
- Upstate Heart Ball on March 11, 2023, at the Greenville Convention Center;
- Upstate Heart Walk on April 23, 2023, in downtown Greenville;
- Women of Impact.
“Every year across the country, a select group of individuals are nominated to be a part of Woman of Impact because of their passion and drive to make a difference,” Lee shared. “This nine-week blind competition is relentlessly focused on women’s heart health. Launching on National Wear Red Day, nominees work to build campaign plans, recruit Impact teams and inspire their networks to support the American Heart Association’s lifesaving mission.”
“At the end of the campaign, this special group of change-makers will be celebrated for the overall impact they have on our mission and community,” Lee added. “The nominee who makes the greatest impact and raises the most funds locally will be named a local 2023 Woman of Impact Winner.”
Heart disease and stroke are the country’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers. Each step that Lee and her AHA team takes forward is one step closer to ridding the world of both.
When people attend an event, volunteer or make a donation, their contributions, AHA notes, “support such lifesaving efforts as research, education advocating for better health, improving patient care and reaching the millions of people at risk.”
By Riley Mathews
