By | 19 Oct 2023

Advocate Spotlight: Michelle Bianco

I started with the American Heart Association over 15 years ago through the Train to End Stroke program. I had decided to challenge myself to run my first half marathon while committing to a great cause. Through my work at the time as a Physical Therapist, I had experience treating individuals of varying ages impacted by stroke and heart disease.

Heart disease is also very personal to me. Both my father and my mother in law had multi vessel coronary artery bypass grafts in their early fifties. While I had a basic understanding of the American Heart Association prior to joining Train to End Stroke, it was through my experience with the organization that I became more informed of the mission and advocacy opportunities.

It has been a great honor to be able to be involved at various levels of advocacy. I have been on different committees and have chaired the Advocacy team for PA for several years. This experience has afforded me the opportunity to participate in Advocacy days at a local, state and national level. Bringing awareness of critical lifesaving issues and influencing decisions that impact health is what has kept me involved over the years.

My “why” is not only fueled by my clinical background and family history. I have been in the community and needed to initiate CPR twice. I have personally seen the need for AEDs in the community and the value of CPR training. These are examples of the issues that the American Heart Association is invested in. I am grateful to play a small role in advocacy for an amazing organization that continues to research, educate on and fund initiatives that make a difference in today and the future. Together, as volunteers we can make an impact in furthering the mission of the American Heart Association!

Best,

Michelle

Advocate State - PA

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Michelle Bianco published this page in Advocate Stories Archive Holder 2023-10-19 16:37:44 -0400

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(REV August 2016)

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For good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, I hereby grant to the American Heart Association (“AHA”) and its successors and anyone authorized by it the following unrestricted rights and release, all of which may be exercised without geographical, time or other limitation: In regards to the submission of stories, video or digital recordings, whether of an audio or visual nature, and photographs (collectively “Submitted Material”) for use by the AHA, I hereby release the AHA from all liability, and make the following grants and representations in connection therewith:

(a) The right to record, photograph and/or otherwise use, produce, copyright, transmit by radio or television, use on internet, distribute, exhibit and, as applicable, exploit my likeness, voice, statements, acts, poses, plays and appearances, and all other effects resulting from my services rendered in providing the Submitted Material, it being understood that the rights granted may be exercised in any and all media whatsoever.

(b) All my right, title and interest in all negatives, tapes, transparencies, prints and reproductions of the Submitted Material, including all copyrights, the right to copyright the Submitted Material anywhere in the world and the right to obtain renewals thereof and the right to use, sell, lease or license any of the foregoing, it being understood that AHA shall have the right to cut, edit, alter, interpolate, repurpose and otherwise change the story and to divide the same into as many parts as they desire wherein each part or combination of parts of the presentation may be used alone or together.

(c) I represent and warrant that the information provided to the AHA is a true and accurate account, is original, does not infringe on another’s copyright or other proprietary rights, is not defamatory and that I have full right and authority to disclose and convey the Story or provide the Photograph(s) and/or video recording to the AHA.

(d) I hereby waive all reuse fees or such other fees which might be applicable to the above stated grant and release.

(e) I hereby release, discharge and agree to indemnify and hold harmless the AHA from any liability or injury that may arise from the conveyances and/or permissions in this agreement.

I represent and warrant that I am of legal age and have the right to enter into the aforementioned agreement of release.