Future Goals
1. The best chance of surviving cardiac arrest is to get CPR right away. The Association wants 100% of our region’s high school students to learn CPR before graduating, creating a new generation of lifesavers.
2. Stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term adult disability and the 5th leading cause of death. Our goal is to educate the public on the signs of stroke and promote healthy living to prevent strokes.
3. Through community-serving and faith-based organizations, we will promote an environment that supports healthy behaviors, timely and quality care, and overall well-being. We need motivated leaders willing to be the change agents by being powerful forces for the health and longevity of all people.
4. Through the Go Red for Women initiative, we will increase awareness of women and heart disease – challenging women to know their risk and providing tools to help them lead heart-healthy lives.
5. We support minimizing the use of all combustible tobacco products, while ensuring that other products do not addict the next generation of youth and adolescents.
Fundraising Events/Opportunities
National Wear Red Day – February 7, 2020
2020 Heart & Stroke Ball – Feb 29, 2020, Mechanics Hall, Worcester
2020 Heart & Stroke Walk – May 9, 2020, Lake Park, Quinsigamond State Park, Worcester
Giving Opportunities
• Sponsor a Heart Walk or a Go Red for Women event, donate an auction item, or participate on an event planning committee.
• Join the “Circle of Red” or “Men Go Red” group by making a $1,000 contribution to help combat cardiovascular disease.
• Give your employees time to participate in a free, on-site Hands-Only CPR demonstration.
• Conduct a simple, one-day fundraising event on National Wear Red Day in February. It’s a great way to raise awareness of heart disease in women, while raising funds for research and education. The local AHA office will provide promotional materials and red dress pins. For more information: Blair.Young@Heart.org
Volunteer Opportunities
• Become a “You’re the Cure” Advocate to help educate our legislators on our public policy efforts regarding obesity prevention, heart disease and stroke prevention funding, tobacco control, and healthcare reform initiatives. For more information: www.yourethecure.org.
• Become an Association spokesperson. Heart disease and stroke survivors are always welcome to share their personal stories to help people educate others about the warning signs and symptoms. Health professionals can give a clinical perspective on the Association’s public health initiatives, such as school nutrition, fitness, cholesterol and blood pressure management, smoking cessation, and other ways to lower cardiovascular disease risk. Media training is provided.
• Join our local Board of Directors.
• Lead a Heart Walk team at your company or with family and friends.
• Participate in one of our event planning committees and gather employees to help with logistics at our events.
