Dear Friends,
This past year has been an incredible journey. We commemorated 100 years filled with impactful transformations, sustainable growth, and life-saving progress. Our passionate staff, devoted board of directors, and selfless volunteers were dedicated to persistently addressing health inequalities, driving scientific progress, and promoting awareness in communities.
What we do is vital to individuals and families who live in Connecticut, like 10-year-old Jada who is featured on our cover. Jada is a true heart warrior whose life was saved by her doctors and the protocols put in place thanks in part to the research funded by the American Heart Association. Despite facing additional surgeries, Jada remains strong and courageously supports our cause as a Youth Ambassador, sharing her story to inspire others. The unwavering support of our volunteers over the past 100 years has made it possible for Jada to be able to pursue her dream of someday becoming a doctor.
Youth Ambassador, Jada featured on the cover of the Connecticut Impact Report.
As detailed in the forthcoming report, we have made a profound impact in communities throughout Connecticut. Key accomplishments from the past year include:
- Building a Nation of Lifesavers with the first Hands-Only CPR Mobile Kiosk in Connecticut and New England, providing critical education and lifesaving training, supported by Hartford HealthCare.
- Expanding the Blood Pressure Community initiative with Yale New Haven Health to address high blood pressure by offering education and essential resources to neighborhoods and communities throughout the region.
- Delivering heart-health programs to 80,000 students in 212 schools through initiatives like the Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge.
- Advocating for one million dollars in state funding for free school meals.
- Engaging employees, families, and communities in events like Heart Challenge and Go Red for
- Women to raise awareness and fund research.
Hartford HealthCare presents a Hands-Only CPR Mobile Kiosk at a press conference unveiling in May 2024. The mobile kiosk will travel throughout Connecticut for three years, turning bystanders into a Nation of Lifesavers. Photo left to right: Dr. James Cardon, cardiologist Hartford HealthCare, West Hartford Mayor, Sherri Cantor, Hartford Healthcare’s Caroline Martindale, CT AHA Executive Director, Adria Giordano, Wheatly Wentzell of Hartford HealthCare and CT AHA Board member, Scott Selig, AHA development director.
With bold hearts, the American Heart Association’s volunteers, supporters and staff forge ahead into the organization’s second century. Together we can empower more children like Jada to pursue their dreams.
I encourage you to review the amazing work we’ve done over the past year in our 2023-2024 Impact Report:
2023-2024 Connecticut Impact Report
Our future is about improving yours.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in the past year to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere.
With gratitude,
Adria Giordano
Executive Director – Connecticut
American Heart Association
Adria.Giordano@heart.org
