As the American Heart Association celebrates 100 years working to build longer, healthier lives, I was honored to travel from Portland, OR, to Washington, D.C. to join AHA’s Hearts on the Hill Fly In. AHA advocates from Oregon and across the country gathered to meet our Senators and Representatives and ask their support for two life-saving bills.
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HR 6829 The Hearts Act in the House of Representatives and S.1024 Access to AEDs in the Senate are bi-partisan bills that would authorize federal funding for putting more lifesaving AED’s (Automated External Defibrillators) into high schools across the country along with crucial training and emergency response planning. This would fill a gap that puts students and student athletes at risk. These lifesaving devices can only make a difference if we have then in place and if people are trained to use them. Each minute that passes after cardiac arrest reduces the chance of survival by 10%.
Ahead of our meetings, AHA’s team organized a terrific program of preparation and inspiration. Led by CEO Nancy Brown and the amazing AHA team, we heard compelling stories from cardiac arrest survivors, and the emotional experiences of advocates who had lost a loved one. We were joined by Kenneth Edmonds, Vice President of Government Relations and Public Policy for the NFL. He shared how the league is working for the expansion of critical cardiac care resources. This comes in the wake of the shocking January 2023 cardiac arrest on Monday Night Football of the Buffalo Bills Damar Hamlin. Hamlin’s life was saved by immediate expert medical care. The incident brought national attention to the need for improvements in access to quick cardiac care. It’s great to see the NFL using the power of their reach to support this critical need.
We headed to our meetings prepared, and also forewarned to wear comfortable shoes. Long miles of concrete corridors and marble hallways awaited us on Capital Hill. As we walked the halls of the senate and house office buildings, AEDs were conspicuous throughout. Clearly Congress knows they do make a difference.
We met with staff for Oregon’s US Senators Ron Wyden, Jeff Merkley and Representative Suzanne Bonamici. At the time of writing, I’m happy to share that Senator Jeff Merkley has signed on to the senate’s AED bill. I am hopeful the momentum continues. There would be no better way to celebrate the AHAs 100th year, than to see these bills succeed.
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