You're the Cure: Network News

Advocacy Making a Difference in Minnesota

Fall Edition

E-Newsletter of the American Heart Association & American Stroke Association

American Heart Association welcomes Justin Bell to the MN Advocacy team!

Please welcome Justin Bell, our new Government Relations Director in Minnesota. Justin will be working on policies ranging from improving the treatment of stroke across the state, to ensuring that Minnesota students have the opportunity to learn CPR before they graduate.

Justin will be working alongside our Regional Vice President for Advocacy, Rachel Callanan, who will now focus more directly on policies concerning obesity prevention and tobacco control in Minnesota. Both Rachel and Justin's contact information are below - feel free to contact them at anytime if you have any questions on these policy areas!

Justin Bell
Government Relations Director

Justin.Bell@heart.org (952)278-7921

Rachel Callanan

Regional Vice President for Advocacy, MN and WI

Rachel.Callanan@heart.org(952) 278-7915

American Heart Association announces participation with "Raise it for Health" campaign

The American Heart Association is proud to announce our participation with Raise it for Health, a coalition of Minnesota's leading health and nonprofit organizations who share a common goal of reducing tobacco use.

As you know, smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and tobacco use continues to be a major contributor to the state's escalating health care costs. Raising the price of tobacco is one of the most effective tools we have to reduce tobacco use.

You helped us pass the "Tic Tac" Tobacco Act in 2010 to protect our kids from the candy flavored and innovative new tobacco products coming onto the market. This year, we ask you to join us in our efforts to prevent more than 6,000 kids from smoking and save Minnesota $1 billion in future health care costs by raising the price of tobacco.

Want to volunteer to help with this campaign? Contact Rachel Callanan at Rachel.Callanan@heart.org

Healthy Schools Conference: Creating a Strong Foundation for Student Success, November 15th, 2010

The American Heart Association and our partners are co-sponsoring the Healthy Schools Conference to promote a healthy school environment. The conference will be titled "Creating a Strong Foundation for Student Success" and will be held November 15th, 2010 at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus.

School health policies and practices can have a direct impact on student academic and behavioral outcomes.

Join us to learn about effective and practical strategies to create healthier schools, where students and staff thrive. The keynote address will be delivered by Howell Wechsler, Ed.D. MPH, Director, Division of Adolescent and School Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Follow the link below for more information about the conference and how to register:

Register for the Healthy Schools Conference on November 15th!

SAVE THE DATE! HEART ON THE HILL APRIL 7, 2011

We invite you to save the date to join us on April 7, 2011 for our annual Heart on the Hill at the Minnesota State Capitol.

This year we will be joining forces with our coalition partners to ask legislators to RAISE IT FOR HEALTH!

Our annual Heart on the Hill is a great opportunity for you to meet your legislators and rally for Minnesotans' health. Please mark your calendar today. More information coming soon!