Is Your Heart Still Racing After Session?!

Even though legislative session has ended, there is still much to be done to achieve our legislative priorities. Regardless of whether bills advanced this year, it is clear that the end of another legislative session will provide new opportunities and challenges for building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke!

Beginning as your new Minnesota Grassroots Advocacy Director, I am excited to join you in this effort. My name is Melissa Horn and I currently also staff the Illinois Grassroots Director position at the American Heart Association. Though transitioning after our staff reductions will be difficult, I want to assure you that we will work to keep up our grassroots movement in Minnesota in the fight for a cure for heart disease and stroke.

In 2004, my Mom suffered a heart attack. Thanks to your efforts throughout the years to make life-saving research a priority, I am happy to report that my Mom survived! And now, MY heart beats to ensure that other daughters, sons, and loved ones continue to tell those same stories of survival!

However, being the "New Kid" is never easy even when you're passionate about a cause like heart disease and stroke. It takes time to figure out how everything works.

As a You're the Cure advocate, you too might still be trying to find your way around our network. No worries! Your American Heart Association has made it easy for you to be a successful advocate.

When you log in to www.americanheart.org/yourethecure, you'll notice a tool bar on the side that lists "Home", "Take Action", "My Profile", and much more. Take some time to click through each tab - I promise you will find the information extremely useful.

Don't know who your legislators are? Not sure how to contact your Senator or Representative? No problem! Click "My Profile ", which lists your legislators contact information including their picture. You can also click on "Information Resources" to find other elected officials in your area.

Not sure if you missed action alerts this session and still want to take action on legislation affecting heart disease and stroke? Your American Heart Association has you covered! Simply click on "Take Action" to view State and Federal alerts to send to your legislators about important heart disease/stroke issues.

Interested in finding out how you can help our advocacy efforts by volunteering off-line? E-mail me at Melissa.Horn@heart.org to find out how you can take action in your community by writing letters to the editor of your local newspaper, meeting with your legislators in district, or helping spread the word about You're the Cure at American Heart Association events across Minnesota. (and much more!)

Many thanks to each of you for your dedication as You're the Cure advocates. With your help, a day will come when heart disease and stroke will no longer claim the lives of our loved ones. I am privileged to work with each of you.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have or to introduce yourself at Melissa.Horn@heart.org.

Sincerely,

Melissa Horn