State:
Kentucky
Meet Ali Stone, Mrs. Kentucky International 2023
Heart Disease has long been an issue in my family. Its genetic presence has caused much heartache within our family, from losing aunts, uncles and cousins. And unfortunately this past year, my own father.
hero_image_alt_text===Ali Stone
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thumbnail_alt_text===Ali Stone
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Doing My Part for a Healthy Future
Advocacy gives me an opportunity to represent myself, my family, community, and profession. I’m doing my part to influence a healthy future for all those I love and to speak up on the issues that are important to health.
hero_image_alt_text===Shannon Shumaker
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thumbnail_alt_text===Shannon Shumaker
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Speaking Out to Save Our Youth
My time spent at Congressional Lobby Day in D.C. was an invaluable experience. Being able to spend time with other AHA volunteers and survivors is something that I will never forget.
hero_image_alt_text===Reilly Brown
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thumbnail_alt_text===Reilly Brown
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Meet Dedicated Survivor-Advocate, Dr. John Ferguson
I have been participating in advocacy work with the American Heart Association for a number of years because I am a strong proponent of their mission and long-term goals. Annually, I have taken university students to Advocacy Days at the State Capitol in Frankfort, Kentucky, to support and encourage the legislators to pass bills which impact the goals of the American Heart Association in our state.
hero_image_alt_text===John Ferguson
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thumbnail_alt_text===john Ferguson
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Best Wishes in Retirement, Julie!
After 31 years of service to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, it is bittersweet that we announce that Julie Brackett, Vice President of Advocacy for the Great Rivers Affiliate, retired on August 3rd.
hero_image_alt_text===julie and joe
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thumbnail_alt_text===julie and joe
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Jeff Backus, Survivor-Advocate
My name is Jeff Backus. When I was 40, I had my first heart attack. At the time I weighed 450 pounds. Three years later, I had to have five stents. Through surgery, diet and exercise, I lost 150 lbs. In September 2012, a stent collapsed and I had another heart attack.
hero_image_alt_text===Jeff Backus and wife
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thumbnail_alt_text===Jeff Backus and wife
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bottom_action===Jeff Backus
Dawn Wigginton, Kentucky
Our daughter, Kolee, loves the water! During the summer it’s nothing for her to swim every day for hours at a time. With that being said, someone is always with her, but not always standing over her, watching her do her “tricks.”
hero_image_alt_text===Wigginton Family on a boat
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thumbnail_alt_text===Wigginton Family on a boat
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The Colliers, Kentucky
Six years ago, we had our fifth child, who was born with 4 congenital heart defects. Finn was diagnosed with transposition of the great arteries, pulmonary stenosis, tricuspid valve regurgitation, and a very large ventricular septal defect. He had his first open heart surgery at 5 days old.
hero_image_alt_text===The Collier Family
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thumbnail_alt_text===The Collier Family
Meet Brian Gardner, Survivor
It would be an understatement to say that the past ten months of my life has been an interesting journey. On July 8th 2016, I suffered a pretty significant stroke.
hero_image_alt_text===Brian Gardner photo
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thumbnail_alt_text===Brian Gardner photo
Francine Bednar, Survivor
I’m Francine Bednar, I’m 38-years-old and this is my story. Heart disease came my way in February 2008. My arm started going numb. I couldn’t hold a paper steady. I couldn’t catch my breath. I took Ibuprofen and went to lie down in bed, but by the time I got there I could barely talk and breathe.
hero_image_alt_text===Bednar Family
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thumbnail_alt_text===Bednar Family