Welcome to the American Heart Association’s Mid-Atlantic Affiliate (MAA) blog! We’re excited to share how we are working with our communities to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
RVA Heart Sisters Spread Awareness About High Blood Pressure
Eight years ago, Tina Johnson learned she had high blood pressure and was pre-diabetic during a routine physical. “I was eating fast food and drinking sodas several times a week,” said the former VCU track athlete. The doctor said, “I could put you on medication, but I’m not going to. I’m giving you three months to get your health in order.” Johnson did just that. Determined to avoid taking pills, she started drinking more water, eating whole foods and returned to her favorite form of exercise, running. Through lifestyle changes, she lost weight, her numbers went back to normal, and [...]
Michaeline Fedder receives the Joan Stine Leadership Award
Michaeline Fedder, Government Relations Director in Maryland, was presented with the Joan Stine Leadership Award at the Maryland statewide annual tobacco conference on May 8, 2018. The award, named for the former Director of the Center for Health Promotion, Education, and Tobacco Use Prevention and the Maryland Department of Health, Joan Stine, honors individuals for their service to the people of Maryland; their action on a local or state level to reduce tobacco use, their work to improve public health through tobacco regulation and control and has show fairness, equity, and professional demeanor in their duties. Michaeline embodies this and [...]
Kroger Raises $93,311 for the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary health organization devoted to fighting cardiovascular disease and stroke, thanks Kroger Stores for their support of Life is Why We Give. After a successful campaign in its 122 stores across the Mid-Atlantic, Kroger raised $93,311 for the American Heart Association. “The American Heart Association is committed to fighting heart disease and stroke and improving the quality of life for all Americans,” said Abby Bartley, Vice-President of Development Operations for the American Heart Association. “Our work would not be possible without the generous support of committed companies like Kroger, and the impact it [...]
Stroke Survivor and Mom Raises Awareness this Mother’s Day
My name is Ashley Slate McGuire, and I am 33 years old. I was born in Fairfax, Va. and grew up in Richmond. I never dreamed I would be dealing with a stroke at the age of 19. I had no idea what caused a stroke or what signs to even look for. However, I knew my grandfather (who was an Army General) had a stroke at the young age of 49. When I was 10, he told me the story of how he was in the Pentagon working one day and started having trouble carrying his briefcase and drinking [...]
VCU Child Care Worker Recieves Heartsaver Hero Award
Stephanie and her daughter Evie On Feb. 22, 2018, Earlena Foskey, a childcare provider at VCU Health Child Care Center, administered CPR to Evie Louka, a 13-month old who became unconscious and unresponsive while in her classroom. Thanks to this heroic act, Evie is alive and doing very well. During a surprise award ceremony at the child care center, Michelle McLees from the American Heart Association (AHA) presented Earlena with the association’s Heartsaver Hero award. Dr. Stephanie Louka, Evie’s mom, gave Foskey a personal token of her eternal gratefulness – a heart shaped life saver pin that she [...]
Richmond Luncheon Speaker Receives New Heart!
At the Richmond Go Red for Women luncheon on February 23, 2018, Amber Eck moved the audience with her incredible story of how a case of pneumonia at age 20 attacked her heart, ultimately developing into advance heart failure. For nearly 3 years, an LVAD (left ventricular assistance device) has been helping Amber’s failing heart pump properly. Struggling physically and emotionally to accept her new “normal,” Amber said, “I no longer see my heart failure as a limitation or hindrance in my life. I look at it and all the experiences it has given me, and say I am a [...]
American Heart Association Receives Multi-Year Grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation
The American Heart Association Receives A $1.7 million Multi-Year Grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation To Improve Access and Outcomes for Vunerable Populations in Baltimore Initiative focuses on improving patient transitions between primary and specialty care for populations affected by stroke, atrial-fibrillation and venous thromboembolism. Baltimore, MD, March 29, 2018 —The American Heart Association announced the receipt of a $1.7 million grant from the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation that will address patient care across the care continuum. With this grant, the AHA will convene a task force representing the myriad of stakeholders in the patient care journey: cardiology specialty care providers, [...]
Let’s Move More in DC on April 4
American Heart Association and Sheehy Auto Stores Spread Message of Fitness and Fun National Walking Day is Wednesday, April 4, and to help encourage people to lace up and walk, the American Heart Association and Sheehy Auto Stores are hosting a prize-filled walking course at the Springfield Town Center from 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. The event will begin at 6500 Springfield Center Drive, Springfield Virginia at the Grand Court entrance near the Starbucks. The walk is free for everyone to participate. Studies have suggested that moderate physical activity has many proven benefits for an individual’s overall health, such as [...]
