You’re the Cure Facebook Action Center

When notorious 1930’s era bank robber Willie Sutton was asked why he robbed banks, he simply replied, “Because that’s where the money is.” That same line of thought can be used today by organizations that have starting using Facebook as part of their communications and advocacy efforts – it makes sense because that’s where the people are!

A lot people these days are spending time on Facebook. Is there any better place to see what your all of your friends are collectively up to – or to post photos of your kid's birthday party? Studies show that the average active Facebook user spends over 20 minutes a day on the site! It’s no wonder Facebook is now one of the top sites in the world – with a total user base greater than the entire population of the United States! Its reach is so wide that Facebook has become an almost a second Internet on to itself.

That’s why we are so excited to leverage Facebook’s popularity for advocacy purposes and announce the launch of the You’re the Cure Facebook Action Center. You can find it by clicking the “Take Action” tab on our You’re the Cure Facebook page, which can be found at: http://www.facebook.com/yourethecure/

The You’re the Cure Facebook Action Center empowers people to send messages to their elected officials and to opt-in to receive more information from the Heart Association -- all without ever leaving Facebook. The action center also gives activist the opportunity to share the actions with their existing group of Facebook friends, which helps spread our messages even further on the popular social media site.

We think this tool will really take our outreach efforts to the next level, but not without your help. Please become a “fan” on our page on Facebook and use the “Take Action” tab to send a message to a decision maker. It’s quick and easy, and when you’re done you’re only a few click away from millions of other things on Facebook!

National Start! Walking Day is April 7th

You know that heart disease is this country's No.1 killer. But did you know that exercising for as little as 30 minutes each day can reduce your risk?

Even though the benefits to regular exercise are well proven, it’s not always easy to find the time. Adults are spending more time at work than ever before and as a result Americans have becoming increasingly inactive. This is a problem when you consider the fact that physical inactivity doubles the risk of heart disease!

You can help reverse this trend and support the fight against heart disease by participating in National Start! Walking Day on Wednesday, April 7th. This is the day that adults nationwide can make the pledge to Start! walking and to become active and heart healthy, especially in the workplace.

On this day, employees are encouraged to wear sneakers to work and take at least 30 minutes out of their day to get up and walk. It's a great way to raise awareness of the Start! movement and to give your coworkers a friendly push toward a healthier life.

The Start! Movement is all about:

• Walking more.
• Eating better.
• Living a longer, healthier life.

There are countless physical activities out there, but walking has the lowest dropout rate of them all! It's the simplest positive change you can make to effectively improve your heart health.

Countless people across the country are jumping on board. Join them in the Start! Movement, get walking and start taking a more active role in your health!

Will you bring your walking shoes to work? It’s time to Start! Walking

Another 4 People Just Died

Sadly, by the time you finish reading this blog entry, another four Americans will die from disease, stroke or some other form of cardiovascular disease (CVD). More than 432,000 women die each year from CVD, but even more tragic is that so many of those deaths could have been prevented.

It’s up to activists like us to work to save these lives!

Programs like WISEWOMAN, which screens low-income women for stroke and heart disease risk and provides follow-up for those who need help, are a big part in stopping these needless deaths. Unfortunately, WISEWOMAN only has enough funding to operate in 20 states. Meanwhile, millions of women across the country are forced to wait.

Congress needs fund crucial prevention programs like this that save lives – but they haven’t committed to doing so yet!

It makes you wonder what the hold-up is.

• We know cardiovascular disease is still the leading killer of women in the United States
• We know WISEWOMAN has been effective in providing at-risk women with the tools they need to prevent heart disease and stroke.
• We know this program is woefully under funded.

So, what’s stopping them??

Give your Members of Congress a little push and ask what it will take to reach more states, screen more eligible women, and save more lives. Tell them to invest in WISEWOMAN - the program that is leading the fight against the No. 1 killer in American women.

After you send your message, post a comment below and let us know you took action!

State Spotlight! Washington Improves Systems of Care

On March 15, 2010, Washington’s Governor Christine Gregoire, signed into law a bill to improve care across the state for heart disease and stroke patients. This bill creates the framework and essential building blocks for an emergency cardiac and stroke systems of care for Washington’s citizens. This will help ensure that if an individual suffers a heart attack or stroke and calls 9-1-1, medical dispatch will send the right vehicle to them and the patient to the right hospital.

You’re the Cure advocates were instrumental every step of the way! Advocates used their personal stories to provide testimony and let Governor Gregoire know why Washington needs improved care for heart and stroke patients. Over 500 emails were sent and phone calls were made in support of the bill. And at the Go Red for Women Luncheons in the state, hundreds of petitions were collected and delivered to the Governor, urging for her support of the legislation!

Great job Washington You’re the Cure advocates and thank you for using your voices for heart disease and stroke patients in your state.

Advocates in Action - March Fly-in Wrap-Up

Nearly 85 researchers and survivors joined the American Heart Association in Washington, DC, on March 10th for the Research Saves Lives lobby day. The advocates met with 95 Congressional offices, asking key Members of Congress to support increased funding for National Institutes of Health (NIH) heart and stroke research. During the meetings, survivors and caregivers shared personal stories about how medical research saved their lives, while the scientists explained the significance of their research.

You’re the Cure advocates across the country were also invited to participate in the event virtually. By emailing and calling lawmakers and spreading the word on Facebook and Twitter, advocates helped reinforce the message being delivered in person on Capitol Hill. More than 10,600 email messages were sent to Members of Congress in support of increased NIH funding. Facebook and Twitter posts resulted in more than 140,000 impressions, raising awareness about the importance of NIH heart and stroke research.

Check out this video for some highlights from the day!

What Does Health Care Reform Mean for Heart Disease and Stroke Patients?

Completion of Congress' action on the health care reform bill brings with it important improvements to the health care system that the American Heart Association advocated for to help make health care coverage more affordable and accessible, improve the quality of care, and place a greater emphasis on prevention and wellness.

With the passage of reform, patients with pre-existing conditions will no longer be denied coverage (beginning this year for kids and in 2014 for adults), lifetime caps placed on coverage will be eliminated and annual caps will be curtailed starting this year, and preventive care will now be available with no co-pays or deductibles for seniors and consumers in new health insurance plans. Additionally, families will be able to make healthier choices about the meals they select at most restaurants because of the calorie information that will be added to menus. The new law also includes incentives to improve the quality of care patients receive, by rewarding value over volume and improving coordination and teamwork among health care professionals. To learn more about what reform means to patients with heart disease and stroke, please visit our website at www.americanheart.org/accesstocare.

While the new law is not perfect, the American Heart Association supported passage of the final package because it will make significant progress towards improving affordability and accessibility of care for patients and their families. The status quo is simply untenable for too many Americans and unsustainable for all of us.

Over the upcoming months and likely years, the American Heart Association will work with Congress, the Administration and our patient advocacy partners to monitor the implementation of these provisions and to build upon this progress as we continue to advocate to ensure the health care system meets the needs of all heart disease and stroke patients.

Use the Recess to Say “Thank You” for Health Care Reform

Last week, as Congress finished its work on the final health care reform package, the American Heart Association ran an advertisement in the Capitol Hill publication, Congress Daily to thank Members for their action, and their votes, on behalf of patients everywhere.

We need your help to make sure legislators who supported health care reform saw the ad and got our message of thanks.

Starting today, Members will be home for a two-week in-district work period, or recess. This means your legislators won’t be holed up in Washington, but instead will be out and about in your community and much more accessible. It’s a perfect time to approach them and thank them for voting in favor of comprehensive health care reform!

We’re asking our You’re the Cure advocates who live in the state or a district of a Member who voted “Yes” for reform, to do a “drop-by” to your legislator’s office and deliver a signed copy of the ad. It’s simple! Just follow the steps below:

1. Find out how your Representative and Senators voted.

2. Visit your legislator’s website to find the address of the district office that is closest to you.

3. Print off a copy of the ad above and add your signature and address to the bottom.

4. Drop-off the signed copy of the ad to your legislator’s office during the recess period (March 29th-April 9th). You don’t need an appointment - just stop by. If your Member is there, ask if you can offer your thanks in person. If not, you can leave the ad with one of the staff.

5. Let us know you completed the drop-by. Click here to record your action!

If you can’t make it in person, you can also fax your signed copy of our ad to their office by finding the fax number on their website.

Thanks for all that you do!