Help me hit the ground running

Since you’ll be hearing from me quite a bit – here on the Pulse, on our Facebook page, and elsewhere –  I wanted to introduce myself (as a Central Pennsylvania native, my grandmother would insist I do the polite thing and make a good first impression).

As someone who’s worked on a number of political and advocacy campaigns, here in Washington, DC, and around the country, it’s a privilege for me to join the American Heart Association and You’re the Cure as Grassroots Manager for Federal Advocacy. I couldn’t be more eager to get started working on issues that include obesity prevention, ensuring school lunches are healthier, and promoting access to quality health care for every American, to name just a few. 

Just as importantly, I’m excited to work with all of you, the You’re the Cure advocates who have already made this campaign so successful and who help the AHA demonstrate every day that our work is so critical because Life is Why.

I’m already in awe of your accomplishments in just the past few months: delivering your message on the importance of stroke-related issues directly to lawmakers during the Association’s Lobby Day here in Washington; working to secure tobacco cessation funding that will help smokers break the habit and live longer, healthier lives; and constantly reaching out to identify additional You’re the Cure advocates who will help us raise awareness around AHA issues and push for the policy solutions that will help meet the Association’s ambitious but critical 2020 Impact Goal.

As we approach the end of the year and look ahead to a new Congress in 2015, I’m eager to know what you’re most interested in, and how you’d like to see You’re the Cure advocating on your behalf. Please leave a comment below or connect with us on Facebook to share your story, tell us the issues that are at the top of your agenda, and help us make the weeks and months ahead the most successful ones yet for You’re the Cure.

Remember: all this week we're highlighting members of the You're the Cure Federal Grassroots team. Be sure to check out Mark Fisher's post from yesterday!