 | Mycle walks across America to raise stroke awareness Mycle Brandy of San Clemente, CA is a four-time stroke survivor and who inspire others with his determination to achieve a healthier lifestyle. In 2005 Mycle joined the AHA’s Train to End Stroke marathon training program, he gave up smoking as well as all of the medications he was on, became more physically active and never looked back. He now walks across America – including a recent trip to Seattle, WA for Make Strides Against Stroke – sharing his story of inspiration with others. Read more about Mycle’s journey in The Pulse. |
 | Fairbanks walks through the snow to save lives As the weather warms up for most of the country, we take out our walking shoes and enjoy the sunshine. However, Fairbanks, Alaska shows their true Heart Walk spirit as 1,000 walkers endured 23 degree weather, 2 inches of snow and a wind and flood advisory to walk the 1 or 2.5 miles courses. Fairbanks walkers raised $240,000, exceeding the event goal! A true example of what determination can accomplish. |
 | Los Angeles division benefits from group effort The Los Angeles Go Red For Women Luncheon drew over 400 supporters and raised over $355,000. Los Angeles County firefighters and Michael O from NBC’s The Sing Off helped spur excitement during the Open Your Heart appeal which raised $70,000 with a special matching donation of $25,000 from Cline Davis Mann and an anonymous $25,000 donation. With help from volunteers, staff and incredible supporters the event was a success! Watch our lovely volunteer created video and view more photos to see the achievement. |
 | Seven year-old nearly doubles Jump Rope For Heart contribution At the young age of six, while celebrating at a friend’s birthday party, Jacob Ryan witnessed his father suffer from sudden cardiac arrest. Luckily, someone quickly dialed 9-1-1 and began CPR. Jacob’s father survived and ever since then Jacob has turned a traumatic event into inspiring action. Last year Jacob raised an extraordinary amount of money for our Jump Rope For Heart program at Brandeis Hillel Day School in San Francisco and was honored for his achievement. This year Jacob nearly doubled his efforts and brought in over $5,000! This incredible young man even asked family and friends to give to the AHA in lieu of birthday presents for him. The media was so impressed by his efforts that ABC 7 News anchor Cheryl Jennings invited him to watch a broadcast and meet the news team “behind the scenes.” He was also recognized at center court by the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. The passion and charisma this exceptional young man displays is inspiring! |
 | Volunteers work together to revive Los Angeles school As a part of Comcast’s annual company-wide day of community service, the company collaborated with AHA Teaching Gardens and City Year Los Angeles to beautify Barack Obama Preparatory Academy in Los Angeles. Community volunteers helped build and plant an AHA Teaching Garden and spent the day painting educational and college-themed murals to transform the school. Volunteer Judi Ketcik reached out to Jeremiah Sullivan, an incredibly talented local artist, to help restore a portrait of President Obama that had been vandalized. What a fantastic example of like-minded community organizations coming together for a greater cause! |
 | For our Friend Dr. Yancey – get up and Instant Recess! As we celebrate the life of Dr. Toni Yancey, doctor, educator, author, poet and friend of the AHA, we have to recognize her tireless promotion of the “instant recess” method of health fitness – exercising in short ten minute bursts. In memory of Toni we encourage you to join us in viewing one of her 10-minute Instant Recess videos on YouTube, just search Instant Recess. Please read Executive Vice President Roman Bowser’s full tribute to her here. |
 | Lindsay Dolan uses CPR training she learned in school to save her mom’s life Roughly 1,600 students at Fremont High School in Sunnyvale, CA and another school received CPR training and took home American Heart Association CPR Anytime kits. Lindsay Dolan was one of those students, but she never thought she would have to perform CPR on anyone, especially not her own mother. One November day, as Lori sat watching the San Francisco 49ers on the couch, she suffered cardiac arrest. Luckily Lindsay knew what to do and jumped into action. Steve Drewiany, deputy chief of the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, came up with the idea for the CPR in schools program and secured funding. Lucky for the Dolan family he did, without that CPR training Lori wouldn’t be here today. |
 | He cycles coast to coast to raise awareness about heart health Chris Figureida loves being active and wanted his life to be about more than himself, so he decided to use his athleticism to help others. He made a plan to bike across the country teaching kids about healthy living and advocating for public policies promoting wellness. After coordinating with the Western States Affiliate of the AHA, Chris set out on his first trip under his non-profit organization, Cycle For Heart.Through his adventure, he talked to 6,000 kids at 14 schools. Since that maiden voyage, Chris goes off cycling and advocating each year speaking to about 50,000 students so far. Read more about Chris journey in Nancy’s News From the Heart. |
