Melissa Dodge isn’t used to putting herself front and center. She is far more comfortable advocating for the American Heart Association on behalf of her daughter, Brooklynn, who was born with half a heart. But when you ask Melissa what she fears most, it’s not being there to take care of Brooklynn and her other…Read More…

Occasionally I’m asked about my passion for AHA. Why I volunteer, why I believe in the organization and why I travel, speak, walk, jump rope, sponsor and participate. In a society that constantly questions what’s in it for me, I’m happy to share. First and foremost, what’s in it for me is you. Every year…Read More…

In 1988 I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, She was 14 days late and I was in labor for 17 hours before the doctors decided to do an emergency C-section because the baby showed some signs of distress and Momma was too. The surgery went well, even though at one point I was…Read More…

I’ve always wondered about the root of my motivations.  Why do I care so much about my health and the health of those around me?  I’m that annoying person who always wants to hear about your ailments and offers a tidbit of solution from something I recently read.  I just can’t help it; I love…Read More…

Leigh Pechillo brings an extraordinary level of commitment and passion to her work as a volunteer for the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Leigh suffered a massive heart attack on Mother’s Day in 2014 and was saved by her husband, Tom, who performed necessary lifesaving CPR on her until emergency services were able to take…Read More…

The American Heart Association was most proud to present Louisa Phillips with the 2018 Great Rivers Affiliate Leadership Legacy Award for her outstanding and dedicated service to the work of the organization. Louisa has dedicated many years to the work of the AHA/ASA, including being a founding Chair of the Circle of Red in Southern…Read More…

In 2003, while working two jobs in Boston with plans to pursue a graduate degree in psychology, Williams College and Punahou School graduate Sarah White suffered a bleeding stroke brought on by a condition she didn’t even know she had arteriovenous malformation, a congenital condition resulting in a tangle of blood vessels. During emergency surgery…Read More…

My story…but more importantly my why… Growing up Physical Education was my favorite class in school. It was my opportunity to be me, moving, happy and healthy. I was even able to go to PE on my off days, thanks to my Physical Education Teacher in small town Reinbeck, IA. This was a class I…Read More…

Casper is home to one extraordinary little boy. Ezekiel was born with a congenital heart defect – from birth, he has had a single ventricle heart. A normal heart has 4 chambers: an upper, lower, left and right. Ezekiel was born with only one chamber along with dextrocardia, meaning his heart is on the opposite…Read More…

Our 2018-19 Mississippi Advocacy Committee is composed of individuals from across the state with different occupations, who have a great interest in advocating for policy change for heart-health issues. Throughout the year, we will introduce some of our members. Today, we’d like you to meet Jan Collins of Madison. Occupation: Executive Director of the Madison County…Read More…