Guest Blogger: Christine Wooley
As a five year volunteer for the American Heart Association, being an advocate leader is a true honor. Talking with legislators on Lobby day this year about Critical Congenital Heart Defect Screening for Newborns, Tobacco Prevention and Control Funding, Stroke Systems of Care, and CPR in schools, was truly amazing!
We had a great turnout of volunteers and outstanding speakers for this very special day. Professional baseball umpire James Joyce, shared his emotional journey of how he saved a woman’s life with CPR, while working at a baseball game last summer. I think there was not a dry eye in the room after he finished telling his extremely moving story.
Valley Catholic Middle School students talked to us about how they are saving lives through teaching CPR, and then showed us hands-on CPR. After the instruction, students gave us CPR necklaces and stickers for completing their course.
We even had royalty at Lobby day this year! As Mrs. Oregon International 2013, I got to spend the day with fellow title holders, Mrs. Oregon Plus-America and Mrs. Oregon America. All three of us are passionate about the American Heart Association and the topics at hand, so it was wonderful to advocate together.
Hearing the remarkable stories of survival and strength on Lobby Day is inspiring. Getting to share causes that are close to our hearts with legislators is life changing. It is experiences like this that confirm the immense importance of advocating for the American Heart Association.
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