Advocate Spotlight: Katie Zumwalt

Life is Why!

What brought you to be an advocate for the American Heart Association?

I was given the opportunity through a professor at Illinois State University to come to the Capitol building in Springfield, IL and after the opportunity I was in love with the organization and advocating for health issues.

What issues or policies are you most passionate about and why?

I am really passionate about the Tobacco 21 law because all most all of the residents in my hometown begin their addiction to tobacco before they turn 18. By changing the age of tobacco purchasing to 21 exposure or experimenting can be drastically reduced and it can even drastically reduce the amount of smoking related diseases in our populations. Changing the age to 21 can certainly improve the lives of the people in our state. 

What is your favorite advocacy memory or experience so far and what made it great?

My favorite memory was taking on the role of 'Hearty' during the morning time of my second advocacy day with the American Heart Association. I remember waving at toddler and making her so happy, and even though the costume was massive and really kind of stuffy, seeing the glow on the little girls face and even the faces of most adults made wearing the heart costume the best experience.

What is your favorite way to be active?

Right now, I love to run or walk around scenic places in Bloomington, Illinois and I also enjoy practicing yoga.

What is your favorite fruit or vegetable?

I love apples and bananas and I definitely cannot go a day without eating any kind of a bell pepper, I cannot get enough of them.