mary.ann.burns

Lynne’s Story

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This Survivor Spotlight is presented by Saint Francis Hospital – a member of Trinity Health of New England When asked to share my “survivor story” frankly, it took me by … Read more

Briana’s Story

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This Survivor Spotlight is presented by Saint Francis Hospital – a member of Trinity Health of New England Briana Visone grew up knowing she had a heart murmur. However, her … Read more

Dawn’s Story

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This Survivor Spotlight is Presented by Saint Francis Hospital – a member of Trinity Health Of New England I was born with pulmonary stenosis, which is a defective pulmonary valve. … Read more

Thankful For Life

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By Michael Capalbo On April 24, 2020 I had a massive Heart Attack. I had a one-hundred percent blockage of the Left Main Artery otherwise known as ‘The Widow Maker”. … Read more

Young at Heart Free Digital Event Features CT’s Geno Auriemma

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The American Heart Association will host its first Young at Heart event on Thursday, November 5 at 5pm to raise awareness and fund research and educational initiatives. Originally planned as an in-person event, the free digital experience will include inspiring speakers, an Open Your Heart appeal, and cooking demonstration by celebrity Chef Richard Blais. The keynote speaker for the evening is Basketball Hall of Famer, Geno Auriemma, Head Coach of the UCONN Women’s Basketball team.

The Young at Heart event hosted by Kara Sundlun of WFSB will focus on prevention and lifestyle which is key to reducing risks for heart disease and stroke. Dr. Supriya Tigadi, assistant professor at the Calhoun Cardiology Center at UCONN Health will discuss how eating well and being physically active can make an impact on health at any age. Survivor speaker, Andrew Jones of Farmington will share his story as a heart transplant recipient at the age of 22 and its impact on his life as a competitive body builder.

The highlight of the event will be a keynote address given by Geno Auriemma. Auriemma will give insight to his life as a young boy coming to American with his family and how his experiences during that time shaped him to who he is today. He also shares his views on how to navigate the pandemic and be resilient through this time.

Rounding out the event will be a cooking demonstration by Chef Richard Blais. Richard Blais is a chef, television personality, restaurateur, and author. He appeared on the reality cooking show Top Chef and is known for his take on classic American cuisine. Richard was the runner-up for the fourth season of Top Chef and returned several seasons later to win Top Chef: All-Stars. Chef Blais will prepare Huevos Rancheros.

Through the support of sponsors and attendees, over $70,000 will be raised to fund education and research while making an impact on Greater Hartford’s health and well-being.

Serving as co-chairs are Ed Kindelan and Melissa Ferrucci of CohnReznick. The co-chairs will call on area volunteers, survivors and business leaders to join the fight against stroke to help increase awareness and prevention of strokes, and reduce stroke-related disability and death.

To register for the event go to http://hartfordheartball.heart.org. The event is free!

Little Hearts Get a Big Treat During Little Heart Hero Day Event

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National “Authorstrator” Ben Clanton brings Narwhal and Jelly to Connecticut kids

The American Heart Association’s eighth annual Little Heart Hero Day sponsored by ConnectiCare was scheduled to take place at Lyman Orchards in Middlefield during peak apple season in September 2020. As in the past, children with congenital heart defects would spend time playing games, painting pumpkins, taking hayrides, and enjoying healthy snacks while parents would spend time networking and enjoying time with their families. But of course, that was not meant to be with recent events.

The AHA knew they could not let the kids down.

“We had to do something great for these little heart warriors who look forward to coming to our annual event,” said Debbie Bender, American Heart Association Director. “We knew we wanted to do something interactive that the kids would enjoy over a Zoom call. When we came up with the plan, we had no idea if we could make it happen. To our surprise, it all came together!”

Nationally known author and illustrator, Ben Clanton was contacted and asked if he would be on a call with the CHD kids to show them how he draws his characters. Clanton, who lives in Seattle, Washington agreed whole heartedly offering his time to share his journey as an author and his talent as an illustration with the kids and their families. Clanton, most famous for his Narwhal and Jelly series, has also written and illustration other books including, Rot: The Bravest in the World, Boo Who? and Mo’s Mustache, to name a few.

The event was hosted by local congenital heart disease survivor, 16-year-old Olivia Belfonti who welcomed the guests and emceed the event.

The first guest, Dr. Seth Lapuk of Connecticut Children’s in Hartford shared educational messages around staying safe and healthy at home and at school during COVID-19. The tips included washing your hands frequently, wearing masks at school, staying socially distant while staying active as much as possible.

Next, the children heard from Ben Clanton who shared stories of his childhood and the difficulties he overcame learning to read. This led to his inspiration to become a children’s author. He then spent time drawing a unique character with suggestions from the “audience”. Asked to name a few animals to create a new character, the chat box sprung full of ideas which led to combing a unicorn, chicken and pig creating a “Unichig!”

Rounding out the event was a special message from pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Robert Elder of Yale New Haven Health. Dr. Elder reminded participants that staying emotionally healthy is just as important as staying physically healthy for your heart. He encouraged everyone to take time to destress, take deep breaths and encouraged the kids to keep smiling and have fun.

Although the event did not take place as usual, everyone who participated received a great treat, meeting one of their favorite authors one-on-one…3,000 miles away.

 

Lawrence + Memorial Hospital President Supporting Eeastern CT Heart Walk

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The American Heart Association (AHA), the largest voluntary health organization fighting heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases, announces Patrick L. Green, president and CEO, Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, as chair of the 2020 Eastern Connecticut Heart Walk. The Eastern CT Heart Walk will be a digital experience taking place on Saturday, October 17.

 As chair, Patrick Green will lead the organizational and recruitment efforts in Eastern Connecticut. He will call on thousands of area volunteers, survivors, walkers, and business leaders to step up to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular disease and stroke, the leading cause of death in the United States. The heart walk is slated to raise $300,000.

“I am extremely honored and excited to be named the chair of the 2020 American Heart Association Walk,” said Patrick Green, president and CEO of Lawrence +Memorial (L+M) Hospital. “My role with L+M as part of Yale New Haven Health, is to improve the health of the communities we serve, which is why I am excited to be the new chair of the Heart Walk. One of my goals will be to increase participation by the engaging our staff, physicians and the community. In addition, I hope to support the AHA’s mission to raise awareness of heart disease and heart health – it is the responsibility of every one of us to become more educated and more aware, not just of our own heart health but of those we love.”

The Heart Walk encourages people to incorporate walking into their lifestyle while benefiting the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association by supporting research and education. The walk also raises awareness of the nation’s two leading causes of death – heart disease and stroke. This year the Eastern Connecticut Heart Walk is a digital experience which will include a 4-week Step Challenge and a week of interactive educational events beginning October 12th and culminating with a “walk where you are” event on October 17th.

The funds raised from the Eastern Connecticut Heart Walk will go towards research, advocacy, CPR training and to promote better health. Visit heart.org to learn more.

For more information about registering for the Eastern Connecticut Heart Walk visit www.easternctheartwalk.org. For more information about sponsorship opportunities call Todd Munn at 203-303-3365

The American Heart Association and Yale New Haven Health respond to alarming drop in 9-1-1 calls fueled by COVID-19 fears

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New campaign, Don’t Die of Doubt™, emphasizes symptoms of heart attack and stroke, need to access care by calling 9-1-1 even during pandemic

Throughout the pandemic, patients have been hesitant to visit the Emergency Room for medical care. Yet, heart attacks and strokes haven’t stopped for COVID-19. Yale New Haven Hospital’s Heart and Vascular program saw a drop in patients coming to the Emergency Department for treatment of stroke and heart attack. To combat this alarming trend, the American Heart Association (AHA), the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all created a new public awareness campaign called, “Don’t Die of Doubt,” that urges people to call 9-1-1 and seek emergency medical care at the hospital if experiencing symptoms of a heart attack or a stroke. Yale New Haven Health Heart and Vascular is proud to be a part of the AHA campaign.

The campaign emphasizes that the best chance to survive an acute event, like a heart attack or stroke, is to call 9-1-1 and get an ambulance to the hospital where they are fully prepared to treat you safely. Hospitals are still the safest place to be during a medical emergency.

With news coverage of coronavirus cases still fueling fear of using emergency medical services, there is a critical need to reach everyone across the country with reassurance. People can receive safe care for heart attack or stroke symptoms, and other urgent medical needs, in hospitals.

When it comes to surviving a heart attack or a stroke, seconds count, and so doubting symptoms, and thereby delaying care, may prove deadly.

“Heart attack and stroke symptoms are always urgent. The AHA campaign is geared toward minimizing hesitation to call 9-1-1 in an emergency,“ said Francine LoRusso, MHA, RN, VP and executive director for Heart and Vascular Services, Transplantation Center and Medicine, Yale New Haven Hospital. “Our physicians and nurses know what to do even when things seem chaotic. At all of our facilities, including the Emergency Departments, we have increased efforts to keep our patients, visitors and healthcare professionals safe. These include screening, testing, cleaning, designated patient care areas and social distancing.”

Yale New Haven Health’s support of the American Heart Association’s mission will continue after the Don’t Die of Doubt campaign, with more events, also representative of the Yale New Haven Health Heart and Vascular Center, being planned for over the next 12 months.

For more about this campaign and community resources, visit www.heart.org/dontdieofdoubt.

Additional Resources:

The Association receives funding primarily from individuals. Foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific association programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations and health insurance providers are available at https://www.heart.org/en/about-us/aha-financial-information.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

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