Here is Mindy Beyer’s recap of her time in Washington DC last week for You’re the Cure on the Hill:
As I sit here and reflect on the time I spent in Washington DC my heart is full❤️
AHA’s Government Relations Director Chace Jackson with Maine Association Board Chair Mindy Beyer during last week’s You’re the Cure on the Hill.
Mindy met Susan Lucci, a heart disease survivor, who was advocating for better heart health.
I know that my Facebook feed over the last few days reflected much of the work I did, but it doesn’t touch on the powerful new friendships I built. I met so many people from all over the country. Each of us with special ties to heart disease and stroke, with many being survivors. I know that I said this before but I am so blessed to have been born with a heart condition. After the past few days my heart condition and this trip have made me feel like I was born with a superpower. My superpower is being able to connect with others and use my story to help make changes and fund research that will impact so many.
Thank you all for your kind words, prayers and support over the last few days. This trip has made me feel loved, empowered and motivated. I plan to continue my work around heart disease and stroke here locally and ask others for their help too…
If you want to be notified of ways that you can help this fight there is one easy way to stay connected. The American Heart Association has a website called You’re the Cure https://www.yourethecure.org where you can go to get the latest information on the issues that the AHA needs your help to spread the word on. They make it easy for you to connect directly to law makers in your state and area. I encourage you to go to the website and sign up to easily receive action alerts.
Once again thank you all for your support over the last few days and a special thank you to all the new friends I made who also spent their time helping get the word out on the Hill for heart/stroke disease in their state.
I am honored to have been given this opportunity to do such amazing work for the American Heart Association, thank you ❤️🇺🇸❤️
#ytconthehill
American Heart Association in Maine
You’re the Cure on the Hill 2019
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On October 16-18, grassroots advocates from across the country will come together on Capitol Hill for the biennial You’re the Cure on the Hill. Much more than a gathering of volunteers, You’re the Cure on the Hill is a time to strategize ways to affect policy change. We’ve been holding You’re the Cure on the Hill since 1990.
This year, the Association’s Maine Board Chair and Heart Disease Survivor Mindy Beyer will be our volunteer representative for Maine at Your’re Cure on the Hill and will share her journey.
As many of you know I was blessed by to be born with a complex congenital heart condition. Growing up I had challenges I had to overcome because of my heart condition, but mostly my heart condition has been an amazing blessing that has helped me find purpose in my life. Recently, because of my heart condition and the work I do through the American Heart and Stroke Association to live my life’s mission: “to help others with heart conditions like mine” I have been chosen to go to Washington DC to meet with our Senators and advocate for life sustaining heart and stroke research. Along with regulations around Vaping, and decreasing the chance of patients getting surprise medical Bills after hospitalizations. I am asking for good thoughts and pray for me during this trip. Not only for safe travel, but I ask that I find the words I need to help make an impact on such important issues. Heart disease and stroke affect so many. I pray that my voice is loud enough to be heard for all those affected by these diseases in the state of Maine…
Key outcomes that have emerged from previous You’re the Cure on the Hill events include:
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding increases for six straight years, with the largest increase coming after the 2017 event
• Furthering Access to Stroke Telemedicine (FAST) Act passed
• Expanding access to cardiac rehabilitation
• Protecting the patient-centered provisions of the Affordable Care Act
• Protecting Healthy School Meals
This year, participants will raise their collective voices on critical issues for promoting good heart and brain health. Advocates will be asking their elected representatives to:
• Support a funding increase for scientific research at the NIH
• Pass a ban on all flavors in all tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes
• Protect patients from balance billing — the practice of “surprise” billing for out-of-network services provided at an in-network medical facility
For more information or resources on You’re the Cure on the Hill, head over here.
You’re the Cure on the Hill started as a way for the Advocacy Department to make an impact in our nation’s capital on federal issues. Having 250 volunteer advocates from 48 states and the District of Columbia hold meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill sends a strong message about the American Heart Association’s resolve and the important issues we champion.
By sharing their personal stories, You’re the Cure advocates have helped to create smoke-free communities, place lifesaving devices like AEDs in public places, increase federal funding for medical research, improve physical education programs in schools, increase the number of people with health coverage and more!