WHAT TO DO FOR CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE   Bayhealth Cardiologist and Chair of the 2022 Southern Delaware Heart Walk Dr. Roberto Scaffidi shares what to do if you have congestive heart failure. As Dr. Scaffidi says, staying mindful and following his simple steps will help you stay healthy and out of the hospital.   Watch Video     MISSION MOMENT: MEET OUR STROKE HERO In 2004, Jessica Davenport suffered from a brain stem stroke at the age of 19. The stroke was caused by smoking, birth control medication, a blood clotting disorder, and patent foramen ovale (a hole between the left and right atria of the heart). As a result, Jessica is nonverbal and wheelchair bound with limited upper body movement. Yet she is bright, funny, ambitious, and eager to advocate for others. Physical therapy has given Jessica the ability to walk a few steps as well as use her hands. Jessica is a student at Wilmington University in the Health Sciences Program where she plans to earn a degree and become an educator on the risks of stroke and all-around advocate for education about health. She has written a book, Detoured Destiny, about her journey. She also has a website and blog, which reports on the dangers of risk factors plus genetics. Jessica is honest with her classmates about her life, and yet she asks for no special treatment. She is currently living with other disabled adults, where she provides support and education to others. Although Jessica has such a severe disability, when you read through her blog or her book you will quickly learn that her disability has not dampened her spirit or influenced her intelligence. Jessica’s motivation, coupled with her positive attitude despite the devastating effects of the stroke, inspire us greatly and we are honored to feature her story. For more information, please visit: http://www.jessbsstroke.com/p/blog-page.html Special thanks to Dr. Angela Herman, Chair of the Health Sciences Program, Wilmington University, for sharing Jessica’s story.   Jessica Davenport     WHAT IS THE EmPOWERED SCHOLARS PROGRAM? The EmPOWERED Scholars program is a college scholarship opportunity for undergraduate students who are working to improve the social determinants of health in their communities through volunteer work, student-led organizations, and more. The social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born and live. Our past scholars have addressed food insecurity, safe housing, job opportunities and access to health care. Since 2018, the American Heart Association has awarded $139,000 to twenty-one EmPOWERED Scholars. This year, five undergraduate students will be awarded a $5,000 scholarship, and the scholarship will be dispersed directly to the students to use toward their education expenses. Additionally, the EmPOWERED Scholars will be invited to participate in speaking engagements and media opportunities with the Association. Applications for the 2022 EmPOWERED Scholars program will be accepted July 1 through September 15 and the scholarship recipients will be announced in October. The American Heart Association is committed to investing in new research programs and grants focused on science-based solutions to health inequities and structural racism. Through initiatives like EmPOWERED Scholars, the Association seeks to expand diversity-research opportunities for underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in science and medicine. Learn more about the scholarship program       IN SUPPORT OF CHILD NUTRITION The Federal Advocacy Team would like your help in encouraging Congress to act quickly on child nutrition waivers and programs to ensure that children do not go hungry. Unless Congress takes immediate action, USDA waivers will expire on June 30 and up to 30 million children would lose access to nutritious school meals. This would increase food insecurity across the country. Extending the USDA waivers has bi-partisan support, but we need your help to ensure Congress does not let child nutrition slip through the cracks. How You Can Help: Click this link or text "APPLE" to 46839 to call your United States Senators and Representative in support of child nutrition. Suggested talking points are on the campaign landing page, but the most important thing to say is that you encourage your lawmakers to extend child nutrition waivers so that children don't go hungry.     LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: GOOD NEWS IN THE STATE BUDGET The Delaware Senate and House have approved the state budget for the coming fiscal year, and we have good news to share! Thanks to the continued outreach of advocates from across the state, several health policies were included in the final budget bill. Budget Highlights: $1.4 million in funding to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months for new moms. Heart disease and strokes are the leading causes of maternal mortality in the United States.  In addition, the House and Senate passed legislation sponsored by Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown that requires the Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance, to take the necessary steps to implement the Medicaid postpartum coverage extension.  $1.9 million in additional funding for tobacco prevention and cessation initiatives. The toll of tobacco remains high in Delaware. The DE Tobacco Control and Prevention Program plays a crucial role in preventing youth initiation and helping current tobacco users quit for good.  Over $20 million in ongoing funding for the Purchase of Care Program (POC) to improve access to quality early childhood care and education. Children who participate in early childhood programs are more likely to grow up as healthy adults and have higher earnings. Sadly, the childcare system in Delaware is broken. Constant underfunding has resulted in a lack of quality and affordable childcare, an increase in childcare deserts, children left unprepared for kindergarten, and limitations to families’ economic mobility. This funding will sustain continued care for the 12,000 families currently enrolled in POC, who are within 185% of the federal poverty level. The Legislative Session is slated to wrap up on June 30. Thank you for your support and advocacy - our success would not be possible without you! Be sure to stay engaged through our You’re the Cure grassroots network at www.yourethecure.org.     DELAWARE HEART & STROKE BALL WRAP UP The 2022 Heart and Stroke Ball campaign has been incredibly successful. Our Executive Leadership Team, a powerful group of Delaware’s most influential leaders and advocates for health, led an impactful campaign that has raised just over $375,000 towards our goal of $400,000! The money raised will directly support our life-saving mission and impact local community priorities focused on making Delaware a happy and healthy state. The campaign’s success is a direct result of our amazing volunteers and supporters here in Delaware. We’d like to thank our co-chairs, Lexie and Thomas Hanna, for leading the campaign with a clear vision and passion for saving lives in Delaware. Thank you to our Executive Leadership Team for your time, effort, and expertise. Finally, thank you to every one of our campaign sponsors as shown below!   Left:Thank you TJ & Lexie Hanna for co-chairing the Delaware Heart & Stroke Ball campaign. Right: The Parrish family shares their story.     We are so pleased with the campaign’s success so far, however, we still have a gap of $25,000 to reach our $400,000 goal by June 30! We are confident that we can do this, together. For any questions about donations or sponsorships, please reach out to Tracie Slade at tracie.slade@heart.org. Thank you for continuing to stand beside us in this critical work.     JOIN US FOR THE FIRST-EVER AHA/ASA STROKE SUMMIT! Please join us: First-Ever AHA/ASA Stroke Summit in Delaware! Save the date: September 10, 2022 Beebe Healthcare CEO David Tam, MD, is our Host and Beebe Healthcare is our Presenting Sponsor of this first ever summit featuring important information on stroke prevention, the latest in treatment and care, local resources, the latest advances in research, stroke screenings - and so much more!   Presenting Sponsor     HEART WALK KICKOFF A RESOUNDING SUCCESS!   Our very special thanks to all our supporters who joined us June 16 for our Heart Walk Kickoff Digital Event! Our Southern Delaware Heart Walk Chair, Roberto Scaffidi, MD, Cardiologist at Bayhealth, delivered an insightful presentation on congestive heart failure. Our Wilmington Heart Walk Chair, Mark Mumford, Chief Executive of Nemours Children's Health, addressed the American Heart Association’s important issue-based Heart Walk campaign and its significant impact on our community. Dr. Carissa Baker Smith from Nemours Children’s Health spoke on preventing heart disease in children. Cayla DiGiovanni shared her incredible personal survivor story. This Heart Walk kickoff event served to educate, inspire, and uplift our attendees, our sponsors, our walkers, our volunteers, and all our participants, and underscore how their support advances research and local programs. To view the event, please click on this link.       Dr. Roberto Scaffidi   Mr. Mark Mumford   Dr. Carissa Baker Smith     Still need to register for the October 9 Wilmington Heart Walk or the November 6 Southern Delaware Heart Walk? Sign-up today!   Wilmington Heart Walk   Southern Delaware Heart Walk     This Newsletter Is Sponsored By:     Special thanks to our 2022 Wilmington Heart Walk Sponsors   Special thanks to our 2022 Southern Delaware Heart Walk Sponsors     View Online | Privacy Policy | Ethics Policy | Conflict of Interest Policy We hate to see you go, but if you must unsubscribe here. © 2026 American Heart Association Inc.