I have been participating in advocacy work with the American Heart Association for a number of years because I am a strong proponent of their mission and long-term goals. Annually, I have taken university students to Advocacy Days at the State Capitol in Frankfort, Kentucky, to support and encourage the legislators to pass bills which impact the goals of the American Heart Association in our state. 

Born with Congenital Heart Disease, Mick wants children today to know that there is hope for a future.

I’ve always wondered about the root of my motivations.  Why do I care so much about my health and the health of those around me?  I’m that annoying person who always wants to hear about your ailments and offers a tidbit of solution from something I recently read.  I just can’t help it; I love health-related stuff.

Why do I care so much?  Why do I put so much effort into making sure that I walk my steps every day and eat well?  I suppose the source of my motivation has evolved over my lifetime. Today, I see clearly why my health matters.

This month we are thrilled to recognize one of our leading volunteer advocates who is leading the charge in the fight against heart disease and stroke. As both a young mother and a pediatrician, Dr. Laura Brown was honored to be asked to be on both the Center and Residential Childcare Licensing Committees, as this role - advocating for the health and safety of children from a medical and developmental standpoint - felt like a natural extension of her daily activities. 

The age of an advocate is just a number to most: what really matters is how you share your story to make a difference.

Remembering the Boston advocate who dedicated his life to health equity.

Survivor & volunteer extraordinaire Dave McKissock’s story is one that is truly remarkable and has resulted in his passion for advocacy.

As the mom of a congenital heart disease survivor, I am submersed into a life I never imagined existed. I found out at 20 weeks that my daughter, Gretta, had a heart defect. “Valerie, your little girl has something wrong with her heart. We think she has tricuspid atresia and we can tell parts are missing so we are going to make you an appointment with a pediatric cardiologist.” Those words are burned in my brain, they haunt me because I had never heard of a heart defect. I mean heart problems are for people that are old, don't take care of themselves or eat unhealthily. The next weeks were full of ultrasounds and doctor appointments. I learned a lot of medical jargon very quickly. I also learned the specific diagnosis that our daughter had didn’t have very good statistics to go with it. Tricuspid Atresia, Transposition of the Great Vessels, ASD and hypoplastic right ventricle became very familiar rapidly.

The You’re the Cure network is full of incredible advocates that invest their free time and energy with us to make a difference – in their local community and beyond.

Dr. Shon Chakrabarti is an interventional cardiologist and an advocate. He is a shining example of how one individual can make a big difference when they invest their passion with the American Heart Association. Dr. Chakrabarti is instrumental in changing policy and ensuring individuals receive high-quality cardiovascular care.

Our 2018-19 Mississippi Advocacy Committee is composed of individuals from across the state who have a great interest in advocating for policy change for heart-health issues. Throughout the year, we will introduce some of our members. Today, we'd like you to meet Ron Schnoor of Ocean Springs.