
Ruby Johnson: A Voice in the Fight Against Youth Vaping
The experience of sending our first child off to college this past fall was a life changing experience… but not in the way I ever expected.
hero_image_alt_text===Ruby Johnson
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thumbnail_alt_text===Ruby Johnson
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Advocate Spotlight: Jill Duis
Occasionally I’m asked about my passion for AHA. Why I volunteer, why I believe in the organization and why I travel, speak, walk, jump rope, sponsor and participate. In a society that constantly questions what’s in it for me, I’m happy to share. First and foremost, what’s in it for me is you. Every year I get the privilege and honor of speaking with people young and old about heart disease and the opportunity to tell them my story.
hero_image_alt_text===Jill Duis
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thumbnail_alt_text===Jill Duis
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Traci Gunter, Alabama
Nine months ago, Traci Gunter of Gadsden miraculously survived a heart attack while driving to work. She was 23.
hero_image_alt_text===Traci Gunter
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thumbnail_alt_text===Traci Gunter
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Advocate Spotlight: Ben Ellis
Ben Ellis is an advocate from Pittsburgh, PA who has dedicated his life to addressing emergency health and ensuring that everyone has a chance for a longer, healthier life. We talked to Ben about why advocacy with American Heart Association was so important to him.
hero_image_alt_text===Ben and Laurie at the US Capitol
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thumbnail_alt_text===Ben and Laurie at the US Capitol
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It Wasn't a Matter of If, But When
There is a long history of heart disease in my family. My grandfather died at a very early age, my father had a quadruple bypass in his 50s, and my younger, healthier brother had a heart attack at 40. I was immune only by luck.
hero_image_alt_text===group photo
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thumbnail_alt_text===group photo
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Meet Tracie Chandler
At age 39, I weighed 240 pounds. I was fighting obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. My doctor said if I wanted to live into my forties, I needed to do something about my health. With a leap of faith, my journey began.
hero_image_alt_text===Tracie Chandler
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thumbnail_alt_text===Tracie Chandler
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Advocate Spotlight: Debra Meyerson
My husband Steve and I recently returned from 3 days in Washington DC with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.
hero_image_alt_text===Debra Meyerson, Steve Zuckerman and Nancy Brown at 2019 Federal Lobby Day
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thumbnail_alt_text===Debra Meyerson, Steve Zuckerman and Nancy Brown at 2019 Federal Lobby Day
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bottom_action===Debra Meyerson, Steve Zuckerman and Nancy Brown at 2019 Federal Lobby Day

Speaking Out to Save Our Youth
My time spent at Congressional Lobby Day in D.C. was an invaluable experience. Being able to spend time with other AHA volunteers and survivors is something that I will never forget.
hero_image_alt_text===Reilly Brown
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thumbnail_alt_text===Reilly Brown
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Meet our 2019 Advocates of the Year
Earlier this month, four special advocates were recognized and awarded for their commitment and achievements at the American Heart Association’s annual Hero’s Awards Dinner that took place in conjunction with our You’re the Cure on the Hill event in Washington, D.C.
hero_image_alt_text===Award winners
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thumbnail_alt_text===Award winners
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My Experience on Capitol Hill
It was such a wonderful experience to attend You’re the Cure on the Hill with the American Heart Association. As a health care professional who is personally connected to this work, I had the opportunity to speak to Michigan legislators on my “why.”
hero_image_alt_text===Janan Saba
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thumbnail_alt_text===Janan Saba