National CPR AED Awareness Week June 1-7, 2009

On June 1, 2009 the American Heart Association will kick off National CPR AED Awareness Week that will run until June 7th. Our goal is to train 1 million people nationwide. Training Centers all across Arkansas are participating some by providing extra classes and some providing free class.

To locate a class near you or to see how many people have been trained in Arkansas go to
www.cprweek.org

In Arkansas we have 37 Training Centers that have numerous sites connected to their Center. You can also find a class near by calling the American Heart Association at 1-888-277-5463.

Here are the Arkansas Training Centers

Medical Center of South Arkansas
University of Arkansas Medical Science
Crowley's Ridge Technical Institute
Five Rivers Medical Center
Univ of AR Comm College at Hope
North Arkansas Medical Center
St. Johns Hospital - Berrvyille
Lifesaver Associates
St Joseph's Mercy Center
UAM College Of Technology-McGehee
Arkansas Methodist Hospital
AHEC - UAMS - Pine Bluff
Washington Demilitarization
Baxter Regional Medical Center
NorthStar CPR Instructors
AR Childrens Hospital
Southern Hills
Arkansas Department Of Labor
Baptist Health Medical Center - Little Rock
American First Response
St. Edward Mercy Medical Center
NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital
Medic One Training Center
Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System
Rebsamen Regional Medical Center
St. Vincent Health System
Northwest Medical Center - Washington County
Conway Regional Health System
Arkansas Fire Academy
Washington Regional Medical Center
National Park Medical Center
Veteran's Administration Medical Center
MEMS
Emergency Education Assocates
Jones Center for Families
Community & Professional Resource Center Inc.
Arkansas Heart Hospital

Rememer you never know when you might need CPR. Most heart attacks happen at home and most likely are a family member. Learn CPR Today.

Go Red for Women Event in Conway Supports Heart and Stroke Issues

Ladies Conway participated in the American Heart Associaitons Go Red for Women luncheon on Tuesday, May 12 in support of women’s heart and stroke health issues. Over 250 women participated in the event along with state's First Lady Ginger Beebe.

Everyone one was asked to send a special message to Senator Blanche Lincoln for her support and co-sponsorship of the federal legislation the HEART for Women Act. The bill will provide screenings for heart and stroke risk factors for women of all ages. Participants also sent thank you messages with regards to Lincoln’s co-sponsorship of the bill that will the Food and Drug Administration to have regulatory authority over tobacco.

Tonya Thomas of Conway Sends Thank You Message to Senator Lincoln

for her co-sponsorhip of the FDA bill to Regulate Tobacco

Ladies sign Paper Doll Campaign in support of HEART for Women Act

During the luncheon guests could pay for opportunities for gift packages filled with handbags, paintings, jewelry and many other items. The ladies had the opportunity to give in a special appeals to support heart and stroke research, which is the mission of the American Heart Association.

National Lobby Day Heartwarming Story

Here is an incredible and heart warming story from the Arkansas Delegation for National Lobby Day April 21, 2009. Mrs. International, Laine Berry, world title holder took time out of her busy schedule to lobby the Arkansas Congressional Delegation. But during her day's activities she had many people that stopped her and enjoyed having their picture taken. You will want to see and hear the story of one young admirer of Mrs. International. Here is his story told by his father.

My son & I was recently in Washington DC. We stayed at the Hyatt on the Hill. Your conference was going on at the same time we were there. During our visit Mrs International came into the lobby. My son being a teenager noticed her immediately of course. As she walked through the lobby she took time out for a couple of photos. One of those photos was with my son Randall (19). While I qreatly appreciate Mrs International's graciousness for my son's photo opportunity I found it ironic that he was one of the ones she took her photo with..... After all she could not know anything at all about his story..... You see he could have been there with your group.... He is also a survivor.... At 2 days old he underwent his first open heart surgery. At 2 years old major reconstructive surgery.... Then at 16 after cardiac arrest he had a partial transplant and he now has a pace maker / defiblilator. There was no way she could have known that the young man she was standing by was anything more than a bystander. I wish to thank her for her kindness and generosity to my son. I have no way of knowing how to contact her other than to hope you will pass this information on from a father who has watched his son go through hell and then to see him light up like he did with a simple picture.

Thanks
Curtis Winder


Many lives are impacted daily by the Americn Heart Association and our efforts through our Advocacy department. This is just one of the many wonderful stories and one life that was saved due to heart and stroke research and prevention.

Thank you Mr. Winder for sharing Randall's story.

Go Red for Women Attendees Support Heart For Women Act

Participants at the Little Rock Go Red For Women Luncheon were asked to support a federal piece of legislation, the HEART for Women Act. Laine Berry, Mrs. International, Arkansas' own Global Beauty Pageant Winner and a native of Conway, ask participants to send a message to their Federal Congressional members in support of the bill. Berry is the states Advocacy Committee Chair and a strong advocate for heart and stroke issues. She has traveled across the United States and spoken at numerous events in support of heart health. Her platform is heart and stroke issues.

Pictured below - Laine Berry and a local attendee signing on to the paper doll campaign in support of the HEART For Women Act.

The Little Rock Event was attended by some 700 women and Arkansas' First Lady Ginger Beebe. See video of event below.

Meeting with Senator Blanche Lincoln

Kevin Berry, Laine Berry, Barbara Kumpe and Dr. Russell Melchert are pictured after their final meeting on lobby day. They had a very successful meeting with Senator Blanche Lincoln, who is a long time supporter of the AHA and it's agenda.

American Heart Association American Stroke Association - National Lobby Day April 21, 2009

View the openning ceremony for the American Heart Association, American Stroke Association's National Lobby Day in Washington DC. The Arkansas Delegation included Russell Melchert, Ph.D, Central Arkansas Board Chair, Laine Berry, winner of the global pageant Mrs. International, and her husband Kevin Berry. Assisting them was Arkansas Government Relations Director Barbara Kumpe.






Volunteers Head to Nations Capitol to Lobby Arkansas Congressional Delegation.

Watch for additional pictures from their meeting with Senator Blanche Lincoln.

The Arkansas Delegation has arrived in Washington DC!  Stay tuned over the next few days for photos and updates on the progress they make with our nations legislators.