Missouri 2026 Heart at the Capitol

On February 25th, 2026, the American Heart Association united its passionate Heart Powered advocates at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City for Missouri Heart at the Capitol, a day dedicated to raising voices for healthier lives and stronger communities. 60 advocates, along with both Project ADAM and the Missouri EMS Association, came together to champion policies that prevent disease, improve health, and save lives.

Throughout the day, advocates held 40 meetings with Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin, President Pro Tem of the Senate, and Sen. Rusty Black, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, to share why heart health matters and how smart policies can make a real difference. These conversations focused on Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) Implementation Funding, sparking meaningful dialogue about the role policy plays in creating environments where everyone has the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives.

The impact didn’t stop at the meetings. Thanks to these efforts, the majority of lawmakers expressed support, underscoring the incredible power of people coming together to advocate for change.

One of the most inspiring moments of the day was hearing from Christina Ayres, mother of Noah Ayres, as she shared her son’s diagnosis story and spoke about working closely with his school to ensure football coaches were trained in CPR and that AEDs were available on-site, turning a deeply personal experience into meaningful action to protect other students. Jocelyn Williams also shared a powerful story from Wentzville, where a high school student’s life was saved by an AED that a WashU doctor kept in his car. Together, their stories remind us that behind every policy is a person and that advocacy is about transforming personal experiences into progress that protects and saves lives for all.

Missouri 2026 Heart at the Capitol proved what’s possible when we unite to change the future of health: policies that protect hearts, prevent disease, and build healthier communities for generations to come.

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Your voice matters—act now! Join American Heart Association Heart Powered and help shape policies that save lives. Visit https://heartpowered.org or text MO to 46839 today to make an immediate impact.