The Boston Heart and Stroke Ball, held Saturday, May 4, at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport, celebrated a recent and significant public policy victory championed by the American Heart Association in Massachusetts.
Leading up to the ball’s Open Your Heart moment, in which guests were asked to make a meaningful gift to support the life-saving mission of the American Heart Association, a video was shown highlighting the August 2023 passage of a bill that will save lives and prevent disabilities for people experiencing stroke.
This policy will empower emergency medical responders to transport stroke patients to the hospital best suited to treat them, rather than being obligated by state law to take them to the nearest hospital. Studies show that patients experiencing severe strokes who are immediately taken to hospitals capable of advanced treatments have a significantly better chance of survival and reduced recovery time.
The video features three individuals who played pivotal roles in making this policy a reality. Lisa Deck, a four-time stroke survivor and dedicated volunteer for the American Heart Association; Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka, a fellow stroke survivor who championed the bill; and Dr. Lester Leung, a neurologist who understands the impact this policy will have on the lives of patients.