Thank you, Mark Olson, for Giving Your Time and Advocating for a Healthier Tomorrow!

Throughout November, our blog will feature AHA volunteer stories of survival and hope.

We know there are thousands of stories like these - thats why we want to say “Thanks” to all of you for “Giving” your time and sharing your lives with us.

You can’t spell CURE without U! Thank you for all you do to build healthier lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

YOU’RE THE CURE!!!

Read about Mark Olson's story below:

The old saying, “Beware the Ides of March” took on a whole new meaning for me on March 14th 2008 when I was hospitalized for a mild heart attack. At the age of 46 I found myself assessing why it happened and what to do next. The professionals at the Minnesota Heart Clinic and Fairview Southdale hospital did a wonderful job of explaining the why and through their awesome rehabilitation program prepared me to live with my new reality.

While involved in this process I did a lot of soul searching, something I expect everyone who has ever been in my position does, and decided that it is important for me to do something to ensure that fewer people experience what I went through. I think often about my niece and nephews and how I can help them to avoid their own “new reality”. So I connected with the American Heart Association Minnesota Chapter to see how I could help. After a couple of discussions with AHA staff about my story and skill set we concluded that the place my volunteer time could be used best was as a member of the State Advocacy Committee. I have been a member of that committee ever since

In Minnesota we are working to reduce risk and treat Minnesota’s number one killer. I encourage you to go to the web site and read about what we're working on in Minnesota. Three key Heart Association issues I find important because of my experience and passion for helping the next generation include.

• Seeing schools in Minnesota provide quality physical education through statewide standards and a graduation requirement. Then our children will graduate knowing how to be active and healthy.

• Supporting an increase in Minnesota’s tobacco tax by $1 to further reduce tobacco use, save lives, and reduce health care costs.

• Supporting policies that provide quality health care for all that is affordable and available when and where people need it. Ensuring health care is provided for the 30,000 low-income Minnesotans who will lose their health care with cuts to General Assistance Medical Care.

If you have your own story to tell or if you have a passion for helping people live healthy lives we need you to volunteer too. The folks at the American Heart Association offices will connect you up with what fits your story and skill set.

Most of all we need you to take action on policy issues through the “You’re the Cure Network”. In my experience our policy makers need and frankly want to hear our stories otherwise they make uninformed decisions. So get involved it will make a difference for generations to come.

Thank you, Mark for sharing your story and advocating for the American Heart Association!

Do you have a story to tell? Send me your story at Melissa.Horn@heart.org and photo and you may be picked to be a feature on our blog.