All this week our team has been introducing themselves and I’m excited to do the same. I joined the AHA nearly ten years ago and have gotten to meet amazing advocates from across the country simply because you see my name on advocacy emails. Yes, Clarissa García is a real person. I’m a mom, a wife, a neighbor, a daughter, and so proud to be the face of our You’re the Cure advocacy program. It’s a job I don’t take lightly and I couldn’t do it alone. The staff who have introduced themselves to you do so much to bring our message to you. I’m just one small part of their work and that of advocacy staff across the country.
When I reflect on what I am grateful for this holiday season it is the passion and commitment of, YOU, our You’re the Cure advocates who make policy change happen. I can’t begin to tell you all the stories of the advocates who have inspired me, but let me share a few special moments I will always treasure. It’s the grandfather who survived countless medical challenges due to heart disease and always wanted to know what more he could do to influence lawmakers. It’s the parent who shared her story of loss when her infant died only to turn that grief into hope by passing newborn screening legislation in her state. It’s the mom I met at a national lobby day years ago who felt empowered when telling her story of heart disease that took so many lives in her family. These advocates told their stories in our nation’s Capital and came away with renewed hope that stories like theirs could change lives.
So this season of giving, I simply say thanks for making it so easy to get up every day and come to work. I know together we can continue our work to create a world free of heart disease and stroke.
P.S. All this week, the You're the Cure team is writing about what they are thankful for this Thanksgiving. Make sure you check out the blog post by Amy Shope Manzi, our Grassroots Consultant!
Be the first to comment