Thursday, February 16, 2012

CPR Measure Passes First Step

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Moments ago a House sub-committee approved a measure that would add CPR training to Oklahoma schools. We applaud the Appropriations subcommittee on Education for their vote and encourage the full committee to approve this measure.


If you didn’t take action on the alert from yesterday, please take a second today and ask your State Representative to support CPR in schools. Click here to take action now!

This bill will teach our students the life saving technique of CPR as well as provide a training on how to use an Automated External Defibrillator. The next step will be for the entire Appropriations committee to vote on this bill, then the Oklahoma House and Senate.

When a sudden cardiac event occurs, fast action is needed to save a life. By teaching CPR training to all our students we can create an entire generation of potential heroes.

The American Heart Association Supports CPR in School - HB 2912

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The American Heart Association wants everyone to know the lifesaving technique of CPR, and what better way to start than with our children. AHA is asking Oklahoma legislators to consider the number of lives implementing such legislation would save.

Consider these facts:

-Less than 8 percent of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital survive.

-Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time. Many victims appear healthy with no known heart disease or other risk factors. Less than one-third of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest victims receive bystander CPR.

-Effective bystander CPR, provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest, can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival.

-Schools are meant to prepare students to contribute to their communities. By teaching students CPR it will enable them to do just that and, possibly, someday save a life.

Right now this bill is being considered in the House Appropriations committee.  Click here to take action and tell your State Representative to support HB 2912!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Secretary Aragon comes out in support of shared-use agreement bill

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Oklahoma's Secretary of Veterans Affiars, Gen. Rita Aragon, authored a column in today's Tulsa World in support of clarifying liability laws as they relate to shared-use agreements.

Shared-use schools can help battle obesity

by: RITA ARAGON
Friday, November 11, 2011

As a proud member of our nation's military, enlisting in the Oklahoma Air National Guard in 1979, and as a volunteer for the American Heart Association, I am deeply concerned about the obesity epidemic facing America's young people.

Recently, an organization of retired senior military leaders issued a report warning Congress that obesity had become so severe in the United States that it was hampering military recruiting. At least 9 million 17- to 24-year-olds are too fat to serve in the military.

Otherwise excellent candidates are repeatedly turned away by military recruiters because they are too fat to fight.
Within a 10-year period ending in 2008, the number of states with 40 percent or more of their young adults overweight or obese went from just one state - Kentucky - to 39 states.

You can read the rest of the article here. http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/article.aspx?subjectid=65&articleid=20111111_65_A19_CUTLIN699086
 

AHA Statement on passing of Senator Myers

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The AHA joined with members from the Smoke-Free Oklahoma Coalition in releasing a statement about the passing of Senator Myers. Senator David Myers passed away Thursday from a lung infection. He served as our legislative champion in the Senate for smoke-free legislation and will be greatly missed.

 Health organizations saddened by loss of Senator David Myers

The State of Oklahoma has lost a great champion with the passing of Sen. David Myers.

The Republican from Ponca City died on Thursday. He was a strong supporter of issues related to tobacco control in Oklahoma.

“It will be hard to fill the gap left by Sen. Myers’ passing,” said Marilyn Davidson, government relations director for the American Heart Association. “He recently stated that passing smoke-free legislation was going to be a main priority for him during his last three years in office. He was a true treasure.”

The coalition of the American Heart Association, American Lung Association and American Cancer Society partnered regularly with Myers on health-related issues, especially those related to fighting tobacco.

“This is a great loss to Oklahoma. He felt a tremendous personal mission to pass legislation to protect all Oklahomans from secondhand smoke,” said Pat Marshall, Legislative and Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society.


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Monday, October 31, 2011

Celebrate Start! Eating Healthy Day

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Please join the American Heart Association for our first ever local celebration of National START EATING HEALTHY DAY! The event is sponsored by Mercy Hospital and hosted by Francis Tuttle Vo-Tech, Rockwell campus.


Wednesday, November 2nd from 1:00-3:00pm
Francis Tuttle Vo-Tech, Rockwell Campus
12777 N. Rockwell Avenue
(Just south of the John Kilpatrick Turnpike in northwest Oklahoma City)

Area hospitals are sending representatives to create a heart healthy dish…the secret ingredient won’t be announced until the challenge begins.

Spread the word- we’d like to see the place packed! Come cheer on the challengers and help us attract attention to the need for improvement in the eating habits of Oklahomans.

Please also consider an office or family activity that celebrates this day, and send us your photos so we can use your stories as inspiration for others!!!

Plan to eat healthy all day next Wednesday…and beyond!

Thank you!

Friday, October 28, 2011

Stroke Advocates Have Nothing to Fear

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Stroke advocates for the American Heart Association want to let lawmakers know that they have nothing to fear this Halloween!!! It’s estimated one out of every six people worldwide will have a stroke. This might scare some people but I know that there are changes we can make in Oklahoma to reverse this trend. We can do this by improving our systems of care, reducing our risk factors and making sure our citizens know the signs of a stroke.

Below are some pictures of advocates telling lawmakers to improve stroke care in Oklahoma.



Telling the Story of Strokes In Oklahoma

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Over the past month through out You're the Cure network you've heard about the signs of strokes, you've heard about stroke care in Oklahoma and you've heard about the financial cost of stroke. Now it's time to hear a personal story about how stroke can change a life. Pam Bedford is a stroke survivor and valued advocate with the American Heart Association. She has graciously agreed to share her story with us.

Above is a picture of Pam visiting with
Rep. Ann Coody at the State Capitol about
stroke care in Oklahoma.

My name is Pam Bedford and I am a stroke survivor of five years. I was 43 years old when my life changed. It happened while getting ready one Saturday morning when I heard a lout buzzing in my ears, numbness on the right side of my body, a horrific headche and an overwhelming urge to fall asleep. My husband of 11 months called 911 and I was rushed to St. Anthony Hospital. I fell unconsious and woke up 5 days later. I spent the next 24 days in the rehabilitation depatment learning how to talk, walk, eat. sit up and try to understand why this has happened. I was like a little baby learning basic skills all over again. The kind of stroke I had is called a hemorrhagic stroke (brain bleed). I have left side muscle weakness and right side nerve damage along with a number of other issues. Being left handed, I had to learn to start using my right hand. My old "normal" was no more and now I have to create a new normal. Today, I still live with the side effects of my stroke. I am leading a fulfilling life. I have learned to listen to my body more and not take life for granted. This has given me an opportunity of helping others that I never would have had.
 

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