Three Florida leaders received the 2022 Heart Champion Legislative Award for their leadership and support to pass the Telecommunicator CPR (T-CPR) legislation during the 2022 legislative session.
hero_image_alt_text===
thumbnail===https://assets.nationbuilder.com/yourethecure/pages/29540/attachments/original/1674690027/Florida%20capitol%2016-9%20canva%20rsz.png?1674690027
thumbnail_alt_text===
state_featured_post===
state_featured_action===
The American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization focused on heart and brain health for all, selected Representative Dana Trabulsy, Representative Lawrence McClure and Senator Danny Burgess as the 2022 award recipients.
Thanks to the work of Representatives Trabulsy and Lawrence, as well as Senator Burgess, the legislation passed all committees of reference and both chambers by unanimous vote. The meaningful and life-saving legislation ensures that 911 callers across the state are properly trained specifically to offer CPR instructions by phone in the event of cardiac arrest or other medical emergency until first responders arrive. The legislation was signed by Governor DeSantis and became law on July 1, 2022.
“The American Heart Association and our volunteers are extremely thankful to legislators for all of the support to pass the legislation during last session,” said Tiffany McCaskill Henderson, Government Relations Director. “Immediate CPR can double or even triple the chance of survival after cardiac arrest, yet many people either aren't trained in CPR or naturally forget this life-saving skill in time of distress. By being coached through CPR by a fully trained dispatcher, 911 callers can help save lives.”
“I am honored to be a recipient of the Heart Champion Legislative Award. I am dedicated to continuing to bring awareness to Cardiovascular Health and supporting legislation that will save lives,” said Rep. Trabulsy.
“It is an honor to be recognized with the American Heart Association’s Heart Champion Legislative Award. By supporting this very important legislation, I look forward to many more lives being saved by the high-quality CPR instructions provided to 911 callers across Florida, “said Rep. McClure.
“Thank you to the AHA for this award and amazing opportunity to work together to save lives and make Florida a safer and healthier place to live,” said Senator Burgess.
“I would like to thank Representatives Trabulsy and McClure and Senator Burgess, for your work passing the TCPR Bill. Please know your dedication will result in numerous lives being saved. You are serving your constituents effectively,” said George Laman, an AHA advocate and father of a victim of sudden cardiac arrest.
While TCPR is sure to save lives now, the American Heart Association is excited to announce additional life-saving legislative work for the 2023 session. It is the organizational desire to ensure that Floridians, continue to live longer, healthier lives. With a focus in 2023 on blood pressure program funds, healthy eating programs, and self-monitoring blood pressure support, the upcoming legislative session has an opportunity to make a healthy, potentially lifesaving difference to every Floridian.
Photos (left to right): Rep. McClure with Tiffany, Rep. Trabulsy with Tiffany, and Sen. Burgess with Tiffany.
Tiffany McCaskill Henderson, JM is the Government Relations Director in Florida for the American Heart Association.