My Heartfelt Experience at Arkansas Children's Hospital

We all simply wonder how the doctors do it. Pediatric Cardiologist and American Heart Association Past Board President, Dr. Brian Eble at Arkansas Children's Hospital, gave us the chance to see what he does daily. We sometimes take our health for granted when there are others praying for recovery. I was overwhelmed with emotions as I walked through the pediatric cardiology unit. 

Walking into the tour, I didn't know what to expect, but Dr. Eble blew us away with his knowledge and love for the children. He showed us exactly what they do to understand and improve the smallest hearts. He showed us an echo-cardiogram and how they read an individual’s heart activity. The heart care that is being done right here in the state of Arkansas is astonishing.

We not only got to experience what he does as a doctor, but were able to meet a few patients. Some patients have been there for a long time and some were just in for a checkup. The amount of joy these children have, in spite of the fact that they have been through so much amazes me.

It was an amazing reunion for me to be back inside Arkansas Children's Hospital where I once was a patient in the Pediatric research unit for my peanut allergy. The five years I spent going in and out of the hospital, I noticed all that this amazing Hospital did, not just for children like me, but many other children each and every day. It was amazing to be able to see firsthand what Dr. Eble and his team does every single day, and to see and to understand even more how important the American Heart Association is. Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s mission is to champion children by making them better today and healthier tomorrow, and I have seen firsthand that this is exactly what they do.

This is why it is so imperative that we all come together to learn about heart health and educate others. I am a proud advocate for the American Heart Association - working to improve heart health not just in Arkansas, but nationally.

I ask you to join me in advocating with the American Heart Association You’re the Cure by texting CROWN to 46839 or visiting http://act.yourethecure.org/20MMveV.

”Give your hands to serve and your hearts to love.” – Mother Teresa 

 Miss Arkansas International 2017, Haley Bird is a Dean’s list graduate from Southern Arkansas University receiving a degree in business administration and marketing.  Haley has been promoting her platform “Bully Free starts with me!” for several years, and will champion this cause during her year of service.  She is sharing this message nationwide with the guidance and information received through the PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center.  Haley is also a passionate advocate for the American Heart Association as the Go Red For Women campaign is a priority for the International Pageant Organization.