National Convention Underway In Dallas

The 2012 Mended Hearts Convention is in full swing! This year Mended Hearts will be celebrating its 60 year anniversary in Dallas! “The First 60 Years – Our Foundation for the Future”, acknowledges the strong foundation we’ve built that will ensure a bright future for us to continue to expand our mission.

This year’s western –themed convention focuses on education and leadership and boasts a variety of new workshops and seminars that members may participate in, learn from and take back to share with their chapters.

Additionally, we have invited several dynamic national speakers to encourage and educate our membership to help them flourish and reach their full potential in continuing our mission to inspire hope and improve the quality of life for heart patients and their families.

Check back each week for convention updates and information. Registration is now available online.

www.mendedhearts.org

Cath Patient Outreach Program continues to grow; NEW cath materials recently made available

Mended Hearts chapters are still reporting positive responses from patients and hospital personnel alike to the new Cath Patient Outreach Program, which is helping to significantly boost visiting numbers (and membership!) in participating chapters.

The 2010 launch of the program was funded by a grant from AstraZeneca.  The 2011 program has been expanded to include sponsorship not only from  AstraZeneca but also the Daiichi-Sankyo/Lilly Alliance.

A key contributing factor to program success has been quality materials, which were recently expanded to now include two new brochures in English and Spanish.  Available immediately, chapters can order the new “After the Cath Lab:  A Guide to Recovery” pack.  Also available are the two new brochures which tackle topics that visitors in the program said they get questions on most frequently that have not been available previously.  Look for patient information on “Depression and Your Heart” and “Getting Help with Your Prescription Costs”  available in English and Spanish.  The brochures are also in production to be included in future PATH Packs, available this summer.

These new Cath Patient Outreach Program materials, as well as additional resources on the horizon, will be shared in a special general session at the convention chaired by program chairman Steve Stanko and Dr. Chris White, Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) president.  The convention will also include a workshop on “Nuts and Bolts of Cath Patient Visiting” with plenty of how-to tips learned from experienced visitors.

Mended Hearts of Rochester’s Sharon Feldman featured on WHAM-TV Go Red for Women Special

Mended Hearts of Rochester’s Sharon Feldman fea…, posted with vodpod

Sharon Feldman, president of Mended Hearts of Rochester Chapter 50, tells her story about needing a heart valve replacement, how she found Mended Hearts and how the organization helped her overcome her fears regarding her heart event.

Her story was featured on WHAM-TV Channel 13′s Go Red for Women feature where several Mended Hearts and Mended Little Hearts were featured some of those included Chapter 50′s John Campana, Suzanne McNamara and  Patt Guerrette.

Click here to see the first three parts of the Go Red for Women feature with these members from Mended Hearts Chapter 50.

Dayton National Honor Society members raise $4k to help heart patients

Last week Butler High School students in the Dayton, Ohio area brought attention to heart transplants and the Noah’s Ark Rehabilitation Fund, which was founded by Mended Hearts member Dr. Lucille Grant.

Dr. Grant, who is a heart transplant recipient, was joined by area cardiologist and fund co-chairman Dr. Amit Goyal to accepted the check and honor the Butler student body.

The students raised $4,844 for “Have a Heart and Do Your Part” Adopt-A-Patient Program. The money will be used to provide life-saving cardiac rehabilitation services for six cardiac patients who do not have insurance coverage for the services.

“I am overwhelmed by the hard work and dedication of Butler High School,” Dr. Grant told the Dayton Daily News. “I am so grateful to the students who joined us in the fight against heart disease. They have provided the same gift to others that was given to me. They have made a positive difference in the lives of others.”

Click here to read more in the Dayton Daily News online.

Also, don’t miss the spring edition of Hearbeat Magazine coming soon in March where Lucille Grant is featured in our Healing Heart, Mending Lives segment. Not a Heartbeat subscriber but want to be? Click here to subscribe today.

MLH raising awareness across the nation during Congenital Heart Defect Week February 7-14

By Jennifer Browning

Click the image above to hear Asher Griffin's story and why his mother Anna is reaching out to help others.

This week February 7-14 is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week and Mended Little Hearts groups around the nation are spreading awareness in all kinds of ways.

More than 50 teams are expected to participate in a soccer tournament in Brandon, Miss. this weekend in memory of Pierce Helms and to aid Mississippi Mended Little Hearts. Pierce, son of B.J. and Leah Helms of Brandon, was born with a congenital heart defect and died last year at 2 1/2 months while waiting for a heart transplant. The event starts with a catered dinner at 6 p.m. Friday, complete with music and a silent auction, at the new Brandon City Hall. Tickets are $17 in advance, $20 at the door.The soccer tournament kicks off at 8 a.m. at Shiloh and Exchange parks in Brandon. Clowns, face painting, balloons and a space jump are included.

Because nearly 50 percent of hospital blood transfusions go to children with congenital heart disease, Mended Little Hearts of Colorado Springs moms worked this week to give back by holding blood drive yesterday at five sites. The Air Force Academy is hosting an additional drive today. Inspired by conversations in the ICU,  a group of parents of CHD children formed the organization just three months ago.  MLH of Winchester, Va is also having a blood drive today.

Mended Little Hearts of Tulsa's Joanna Ricketts had two billboards donated in her city in order to spread awareness for CHD awareness week.

Mended Little Hearts of Tulsa’s Joanna Ricketts had two billboards donated  in her city in order to spread awareness for CHD awareness week there.

After receiving an outpouring of support encouragement and prayers from her family and friends, church, and even Facebook, Anna Griffin of Gulfport, Miss. said she is working to start a MS Gulf Coast Mended Little Hearts in her area.

Last week Mayor Tab Townsell signed a proclamation declaring Feb. 7-14 as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week in the city of Conway, Ark.

Also, in Bowling Green, Ky, purchases of downtown carriage rides this month will help benefit MLH of Bowling Green in support of CHD Awareness Week.

 

 

 

Mended Hearts red polo available just in time for Heart Month!

February’s Heart Month is just a few days away! And just in time, the coveted red polo style shirt (Unisex) is now available at the Mended Hearts Marketplace on our website!

The Mended Hearts red polo is great to wear during MHI visits, to a chapter meeting or even to this year’s 59th Annual Convention in the Crescent City!

Does your heart desire other Mended Hearts Wearables or Souvenirs? More items are available online here.

Good Samaritan Hospital establishes Lower Hudson Valley Mended Hearts for cardiac patients and families

Kevin Foord, Vice-President, Chapter #368, Steven Ostrega, President, Chapter #368 and Bob Utecht, Assistant Northeast Regional Director, Mended Hearts, Inc. at a reception commemorating the formation of Chapter 368. The commemoration took place on Tuesday, September 21, 6 pm in the Charity Building at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, NY. (Photo courtesy of Sandi Jeanette)

In August 2010, the Satellite of Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter 5 Mended Hearts (Poughkeepsie) qualified for full chapter status, becoming the Mended Hearts Lower Hudson Valley Chapter #368, serving Orange & Rockland Counties in New York, and Bergen County in New Jersey. The chapter is led by Steven Ostrega, founder and former cardiac patient at Good Samaritan Hospital.

When facing a cardiac procedure, many patients and their families struggle with a range of emotions and concerns that are difficult to cope with or understand. It can be difficult to find someone who knows just what a patient is going through.

“Mended Hearts is made up of the very kinds of people it serves – heart patients, their families, and others impacted by heart disease,” Sandi Jeanette, Good Samaritan Hospital’s Community Education Coordinator/Cardiac Liaison, said. “Its members draw upon their personal experiences as they help others. This support group helps people understand that there can be a rich, rewarding life after a heart incident.”

Trained volunteers from the Chapter Visiting Program spend time with hospital cardiac patients, listening to their concerns and offering hope and encouragement, which is a critical second step on the road to a healthy lifestyle.

“The rich array of programs that Mended Hearts has to offer, can play an important role in helping those who have dealt with heart issues directly or indirectly, to enjoy their renewed gift of life,” Ostrega said. “When we stand before our patients, we affirm life and give them the hope and encouragement they need.”

Save the Date! Annual Convention resides in the Crescent City in June

Mark your calendars for Mended Hearts 59th Annual Convention June 1-5 in New Orleans, land of beignets and beads. This year’s theme is “The Attitude is Gratitude: The Power of Giving Back.”

Southern Regional Director and Convention chairman Marvin Keyser has assembled a volunteer team to help make this “a convention that chapters will not want to miss.”

The festive locale should make for a productive and worthwhile few days whereby attendees will participate in the latest news and developments on the cardiovascular front while networking, sharing best practices and learning how to make their chapters better.

More details are coming soon! Hope to see you in the Crescent City in June!

Mended Hearts joins Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs and American Medical-ID to distribute 1 million blood pressure wallet cards to veterans

In celebration of Veteran’s Day today, Mended Hearts, Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs, and American Medical-ID joined together to distribute 1 million blood pressure wallet cards to our nation’s veterans.

The three organizations announced last week a collaboration to distribute the cards to aid veterans in better managing their blood pressure. Studies have shown that tracking blood pressure readings can be an effective tool in managing hypertension. Background information on the project was recently sent to MHI chapter presidents, along with a set of the wallet cards for distribution to members.

WebMD, the popular online medical magazine, reported that using wallet cards to track blood pressure helped a group of veterans lower their blood pressure by 4.2 percent. The encouraging results clearly showed how this simple device can make a significant difference.

“High blood pressure increases a person’s risk of developing any number of its complications such as heart failure and heart disease,” Raul Fernandes, president, of Mended Hearts, Inc. said . “Empowering patients, particularly veterans, to monitor their pressure is one more step to ensuring they live healthier lives.”

More information can be found on the Mended Hearts website by clicking on the arrow on the home page which will take you to the next panel with a picture of the wallet cards and a link to the news release. The cards were produced by American Medical-ID and co-branded with Mended Hearts. American Medical-ID is one of the nation’s leading providers of medical identification jewelry and has been a long-time supporter of Mended Hearts – providing members a 10 percent discount on their product line while donating back 10 percent of Mended Hearts member purchases to our organization. Product information may be found at www.IdentifyYourself.com/MendedHearts.

Mended Hearts of Rochester provide information at health fair

Mended Hearts-Rochester President Sharon Feldman stops by to visit members at the Mended Hearts table at the Photo courtesy of Larry Feldman.

By Jennifer Browning

Mended Hearts of Rochester, Chapter 50, attended the New York State Senator Jim Alesi Health Fair earlier this month.

Flu shots, hearing and cholesterol tests, blood pressure screenings, and lectures on how to stay healthy were just a few of the many things to do and see at the fair.

Chapter 50 provided information about Mended Hearts and the American Heart Association.

Larry Feldman said the chapter spoke to many people at the health fair and acquired names of several prospective member.

Want your chapter featured on The Mended Hearts Blog? Chapters may submit information (and images if possible) for review to info@mendedhearts.org. We would love to hear about what your chapter is doing!