By | 23 Feb 2021

Your Story Matters.

You probably heard me or another Heart staff person share your story. You are probably wondering why would this matter? The American Heart Association is a trusted scientific voice. This is true. However, your story and the story of your family and friends help bring our science to life.

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We want to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Your stories are the relentless force that moves lawmakers and leaders to pay attention and care about what is happening in your community.

So, once you have written and practiced your story (both the long and short versions) - then what? There are many ways you can share your story to encourage lawmakers to pass policies for healthier communities. Here are a few ways:

Email your story to your lawmaker and remember to tie it to your ask.
Offer to testify before a committee or townhall.
Submit a letter to the editor highlighting your story and the ask of your policymakers.
Media advocacy: Journalists are always looking for stories to help humanize the issues they write about. As you develop those relationships, let reporters know you have stories to share.
Proactively share advocate quotes, pictures, and videos by tweeting them at reporters.
Social media profiles: Share quotes and pictures from the stories you collect on social media to help bring the issue to life and demonstrate the people behind the campaign.
Reach out to me your grassroots manager, let me know your story. My email is [email protected]

Let’s be a relentless force together! Happy Heart Month!

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Showing 2 reactions

Nathan Thomas commented 2021-03-01 21:41:06 -0500
I agree, everyone has a story to tell. I have had CPR perform on me 2013, and I’m still here thanks to AHA and the hospital staff.
Rebecca Scharler published this page in The Pulse 2021-02-23 14:19:59 -0500

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(REV August 2016)

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For good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, I hereby grant to the American Heart Association (“AHA”) and its successors and anyone authorized by it the following unrestricted rights and release, all of which may be exercised without geographical, time or other limitation: In regards to the submission of stories, video or digital recordings, whether of an audio or visual nature, and photographs (collectively “Submitted Material”) for use by the AHA, I hereby release the AHA from all liability, and make the following grants and representations in connection therewith:

(a) The right to record, photograph and/or otherwise use, produce, copyright, transmit by radio or television, use on internet, distribute, exhibit and, as applicable, exploit my likeness, voice, statements, acts, poses, plays and appearances, and all other effects resulting from my services rendered in providing the Submitted Material, it being understood that the rights granted may be exercised in any and all media whatsoever.

(b) All my right, title and interest in all negatives, tapes, transparencies, prints and reproductions of the Submitted Material, including all copyrights, the right to copyright the Submitted Material anywhere in the world and the right to obtain renewals thereof and the right to use, sell, lease or license any of the foregoing, it being understood that AHA shall have the right to cut, edit, alter, interpolate, repurpose and otherwise change the story and to divide the same into as many parts as they desire wherein each part or combination of parts of the presentation may be used alone or together.

(c) I represent and warrant that the information provided to the AHA is a true and accurate account, is original, does not infringe on another’s copyright or other proprietary rights, is not defamatory and that I have full right and authority to disclose and convey the Story or provide the Photograph(s) and/or video recording to the AHA.

(d) I hereby waive all reuse fees or such other fees which might be applicable to the above stated grant and release.

(e) I hereby release, discharge and agree to indemnify and hold harmless the AHA from any liability or injury that may arise from the conveyances and/or permissions in this agreement.

I represent and warrant that I am of legal age and have the right to enter into the aforementioned agreement of release.