I've dedicated my whole life to working on reducing the burden of heart disease and stroke in our communities. I worked for years as a cardiovascular disease epidemiologist; I have volunteered in many ways for AHA - and recently, I joined the AHA team as a Community Impact Director!
Obviously, I believe in the AHA's mission. But the reason I would like you to join me today in donating to AHA is because research, education, and policies supported by AHA saved my life many years ago!
In September 2008, when I was just 37 years old, I survived a sudden cardiac arrest. Though I had been diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy several years before, we still don't know why heart stopped that particular day. But I survived because teachers nearby had learned and did CPR - the result of AHA research and training. Paramedics came within minutes and shocked my heart back into rhythm - emergency systems and technology that AHA has helped support and develop for decades. And my cognitive function was preserved because of a cooling procedure that was the result of medical research that AHA helped support.
Your donation will fund groundbreaking research that keeps hearts beating and helps people enjoy longer, healthier lives. Please help me now by donating. Together we are helping save lives!
- Al
