My name is Pamela Kaye Washington from Austin, Texas.  My friends call me Pkaye.  As someone who’s battled heart disease for more than two decades and volunteered with the American Heart Association to support policies like keeping school meals healthy and increasing funds for medical research, I know the real-world impact of public policy – for better and for worse.

I have seen the difference advocacy makes and I strongly support the efforts of the American Heart Association to make our great state an even healthier place to live.  It is wonderful to be able to eat at a smoke-free restaurant and to know that all newborns will be screened for critical congenital heart defects.  These types of efforts - these types of policies -  save lives. 

Meet Ann Thompson, an advocate and strong voice for CPR and AED Instruction.  We are inspired by Ann's courage to share her family's tragedy in order to ensure other's do not experience the same tragic loss.  Their 16-year-old son, Adam, died of a sudden cardiac arrest.