Oregon Heart at the Capital Day 2025

On April 8, 2025, the American Heart Association hosted Oregon Heart at the Capitol Day at the State Capitol in Salem. The event brought together fifty passionate advocates including volunteers from Upstream Academy, the Flavors Hook Oregon Kids Coalition, the Oregon Smart Hearts Coalition, and the School Meals for All Coalition.

The day centered on three critical priorities: eliminating the sale of flavored tobacco, addressing acute cardiac events in schools, and improving access to and the quality of school meals. Advocates held forty meetings with legislators and staff throughout the day, including an impromptu meeting with the mayor of Portland, who happened to be in the building. Discussions were met with strong interest, bipartisan support, and commitments to continued conversations. Importantly, advocates connected with both budget co-chairs and leadership from both political parties, helping to build momentum across the aisle.

Youth advocates played a vital role in the day’s success. Students from Upstream Academy led the issue training on flavored tobacco and shared their personal stories about the impact of tobacco use in their communities. Mary Taft, the mother of a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) survivor, delivered a moving account of her daughter’s experience. Heidi Stewart, who survived an SCA at age 18, shared how an AED saved her life—one that had been installed thanks to the tragic loss of another young person to cardiac arrest. These stories powerfully illustrated the life-or-death importance of the policies being championed.

The event left a lasting impression on lawmakers and advocates alike. Several new potential legislative champions were identified, and follow-up efforts are already underway. The day was a powerful reminder of the impact of advocacy and the importance of working together to build healthier communities for everyone.