Keeping you up to date!

Such an incredible month! I must apologize for the lapse in updates to the blog. The weather here in Arkansas has been inclement, to say the least, and along with the storms that ravaged our town came an outage in my internet service. Those of you who know me know that this is a punishment almost worse than death! The internet is my right arm, so without it I am at a loss. But we are back up and running and I have many new exciting things to share.
I had lunch today with Barbie Kumpe, our lobbyist leader. Barbie has been out of the office for the last six weeks having total knee replacement surgery. She is back at the office, and slowly getting back on her feet. It was wonderful to sit down and get back to business with her. We were able to review all the initiatives for the upcoming 2009 session, and make plans for our upcoming committee meetings. We are putting together special task forces for each of the upcoming legislative issues, to try to really target the people/funds/strategies that will help us make the most impact. Our largest and most ambitious goal for this session is the increase of the tobacco excise tax. Arkansas could raise this tax by fifty cents, and only then be at the national average. Doing so would give our state the funds it needs to place AED’s in all public schools, create a statewide trauma system, and support additional childhood wellness programs. Passing only one of our financial initiatives could easily pave the way for the others to fall into place. I leave October the 13th for multi-state lobbyist training. I’ll be traveling the states this year helping advocacy groups enact change in their states.
I was also honored to be the guest speaker at the Arkansas Newcomers Luncheon September 11th. I was asked to present “Go Red for Women” to this group of 170 ladies, and was also able to speak to them about the AHA’s legislative issues for 2009. As many of them are in fact new to the state this was the first time they were hearing about the exciting activities that the AHA conducts on their behalf. I was able to recruit literally dozens of new members to both the Go Red campaign, and the You’re the Cure advocacy group.
On the fun and frivolous side of my year, I had the opportunity to travel to Dothan Alabama for my official Mrs. International head shots at the end of August. I got to spend two unbelievable days with Clay Spann and Joey Retherford; truly two of the most amazing talents in the pageant industry. Clay’s photos are just magical, and Joey is a wardrobe master! I am so honored to get to work with them both this year!
Kevin and I were honored to travel to Chicago Illinois for the Mrs, Miss and Teen Illinois International pageant. We were so pleased to be asked to judge this incredible group of women. What an amazing, but also amazingly difficult experience it was!
Enjoy the photos-I promise to try to do better with keeping you up to date.

HEART FOR WOMEN!!

If there is one thing our legislators know by now, it is that You're the Cure advocates are tough to ignore- and yesterday, Congress showed us that they have been listening. The House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the HEART for Women Act by a unanimous voice vote, bringing us one big step forward in our mission to see the bill become a law. Congratulations! It was your action on this important issue that has brought us to this point. As every good advocate knows though, with the celebration of crossing one hurdle comes the call to action to get us over the next one. The full House of Representatives could vote as early as next week to pass the bill and send it to the Senate, so our Congressmen and Congresswomen need to hear from us! Urge the House to swiftly pass the HEART for Women Act! The current session of Congress ends soon, so we don't have much time. Your immediate action is necessary to keep the pressure on the House to consider the bill at its earliest available opportunity. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for the women close to your heart. Every email you send, phone call you make, or visit you go on raises awareness about the critical need to address the cardiovascular diseases that claim the lives of nearly 460,000 women each year. Margaret Mead once said "Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has"- and you and your fellow You're the Cure advocates prove that every day. Keep up the good work!

The Go Red Website, Heart Gallery, Heart Ball Fashion Show and more!

What an incredible week it has been. There have been amazing things happening, and amazingly difficult things as well. First, I am so honored to share with you that my video testimony has gone up on the national Go Red For Women web site. Visit www.goredforwomen.org to see the clip, and my introduction as a national spokesperson for this amazing organization. This really feels like the beautiful culmination of eight incredible years of dedication and work. I have had the privilege of speaking to groups from as small as 8 women, to as large as 1000, but I could never have hoped to reach the number of women that will be reached every day by this piece being featured on the Go Red site.
Our fund raising season has kicked off, and we are starting to have the fabulous round of events that lead up to the Heart Ball. I was so excited to be asked to model for the kick of fashion show at Barbara Jean fashions in Little Rock. Miss Arkansas International Erin Golden and I were thrilled to model the fairy tale fashions of French designer Domanique DeSentino. I also had the opportunity to open the show by introducing Go Red and the Heart ball to the attendees. I had only five minutes, but I packed some incredible information in that short span of time! I so look forward to this incredible season of fund raising, educating, and awareness!
I was also so thrilled to get to be part of the inaugural shoot for the Greater Arkansas Heart Gallery. I have been honored to serve on the board of this incredible organization for about a year. The chairwoman is my dear friend, Robin Moore. Robin has such a heart for these precious children, and after a year of hard work and dedication we celebrated the first photography session with some beautiful and gifted children. I can’t share photos of the children with you, due to legal reasons, but please enjoy the photo of Robin, and the wonderful photographer Stuart Holt. Stuart is remarkably generous, and donated his time and talents to this incredible cause. We cannot thank him enough; finding a photographer for this incredible project has been the most challenging step so far. Stuart stepped in and saved the day. We cannot wait for the kick off exhibit!
I want to thank all of you who are calling and emailing your thoughts and prayers for my father. This has been a very difficult week. On Monday we discovered that my fathers white blood cell count had plummeted. Normal range for white cells is 2.8-7.8. On Monday dad’s cell count was 0.8, and he was extremely dehydrated. He has been in isolation for the week, receiving IV fluids, antibiotics and shots of a drug which encourages the bone marrow to increase white cell production. Please continue to keep him in your prayers!

Lions Club 2008

I was the guest speaker at the Lions Club today. What an incredible group of volunteers and community leaders these individuals are. We had an incredibly large group despite being bumped from the normal location; there were about 150 people at the luncheon. I was incredibly honored to speak before this group in 2003, and it was a blessing to return. I am always amazed at how open and receptive people are to the message of women's heart disease education and awareness. As usual I asked the members of this group to sign up for the "You're the Cure" advocacy circle. On average I am lucky if I get 25% participation from a group, especially one of this size. I believe that typically people are hesitant to give out their email, for fear of more spam in their in-boxes. We at the AHA assure them that we do absolutely zero address sharing, but people are still hesitant. I am thrilled to report that we got 100% participation today! These members were so excited about the opportunity to become political activists for such an incredible cause, and with so little effort!


This was the first opportunity I had to speak before an audience wearing the Mrs. International banner. I'm still just overwhelmed when I put it on. I'm overwhelmed that I am the face of such an amazing organization; I'm overwhelmed that I am the representative of such an incredible group of women; I'm overwhelmed at the possibilities before me this year!

STOP Stroke Act Stopped in the Senate

On July 28, the Senate voted to consider a package of 35 bills, called the Advancing America’s Priorities Act, which contained the Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention (STOP Stroke) Act. Unfortunately, the package did not get the 60 votes needed to move forward, slowing the progress You’re the Cure advocates worked so hard to achieve with STOP Stroke.
Although the outcome was not what we had hoped for, You’re the Cure advocates were clearly heard on Capitol Hill! In just a few short days, you helped generate nearly 7,000 emails, contacting all 100 members of the Senate. We also placed phone calls and sent faxes to targeted members, and the AHA was proudly represented by Virginia stroke survivor and You’re the Cure advocate Paul Berger at a press conference just days before the vote. In addition, STOP Stroke was mentioned numerous times on the Senate floor throughout the debate.
We may be down, but we are not out, and the count continues until Congress adjourns for the year. Now, more than ever, we need your help to keep the pressure on the Senate. It is very important that you tell your Senators that this bill must move forward before the session ends.
Send a message to your Senators today to let them know that their You’re the Cure constituents are following their actions and will stand up for the nearly six million stroke patients and their families in this country.

Updates, appearances and the AHA

First of all I want to thank all of you that are calling and emailing to check on my father. His condition can best be described as "improving". We were so happy to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his pastorate at our church in Conway on the 27th. I was so honored to be able to speak during the morning service, and tell him publicly just how proud I am of what he has done with his life. We had a state senator, the mayor of Conway and several community and church leaders come and speak about what an incredible ministry my father has had. As wonderful as the day was it was exhausting for dad. When I came home from Chicago I was honestly shocked to see him so thin and pale. He is extremely anemic, and that has to improve before his chemo can begin. Sundays activities really drained him further, and he has spent the last three days in bed resting. We will meet with his oncologist next week to determine how his counts are doing, and when his chemo will begin.

This last week has been amazing in many ways. My friends at the AHA have been thrilled with the news that I was crowned Mrs. International. My advocacay leader Barbie Kumpe is out having knee replacement surgery. I am anxious for her to get back so we can move ahead with out plans for the 2009 session. Marlene Vadjunec is our metro executive director, and is thrilled that Mrs. International is in her home state. We have many events coming up for the 2009 season, that I cannot wait to be part of as the representative of the International system. The festival of wines is always our first event of the season, and of course Kevin and I are in the thick of the planning season for the '09 Heart Ball.

I've started what will no doubt be a wonderful year of incredible appearances. My first was to film a knew segment for the home page of the "Go Red" website. I cannot wait to see the completed piece, and see it go up on the website. It should wrap the end of this week. I also had an interview with our state NBC affiliate, which gave me a chance to really talk about what makes the Mrs. International system "the" system for married women . I also had an interview with our state newspaper which will come out this Sunday, and an interview with AY Magazine, a statewide periodical, which will come out in September. It has been an incredible and incredibly busy two weeks, and I cannot wait to see what is to come! I still marvel at this opportunity, and feel so blessed to be living this dream that I have had for so long. God is good!

Arkansas Moving Toward 2009 Session

The 2009 Legislative session will be a busy one for the American Heart Association, with three major issues on the agenda. The first is the creation of a statewide trauma system. Such a system would allow Arkansas to properly treat strokes and other traumatic brain injuries. Currently, Arkansas does not have a statewide trauma system or a level one trauma center. Last session legislators could not come to an agreement on the funding for the system therefore no legislation was approved. However, several funding streams are currently being discussed in preparation for legislation in 2009.

Contact your legislators and let them know how important this issue is for Arkansas.

Next on our agenda is funding for automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for all schools in Arkansas. Representatives Janet Johnson and Sandra Prater have taken the lead on this issue, and are reviewing information to determine how best to move forward with funding for schools across Arkansas.

Encourage your representative to work to fund AEDs in all schools in AR.

Finally, Arkansas' tobacco tax is well below the national average — just 59 cents compared to a national average of $1.18 according to the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids. Not only is price a big deterrent to youth smoking (for every 10 cents you increase the tax you can see a 7 to 10 percent decrease in consumption), Arkansas is leaving dollars on the table that could be used to provide much needed health disparities programs that reach into communities all across Arkansas.

We will keep you updated as this issue advances in preparation for the 2009 legislative session.

Mrs. International 2008!!!

As I sit at my desk typing these words I am filled with more emotions than I can articulate. I have been raised in the knowledge that for everything there is a time, a purpose and a season. For me, this is the time and season to be Mrs. International 2008 and I vow to carry out those duties with purpose.

The International system has always been the penultimate of married women’s pageants. They, as an organization, represent all that is best in pageantry. Mel and Mary Richardson have an unwavering dedication to ethics and integrity, and a desire to use their forum to showcase the most beautiful attributes of married women; strength and purpose. They and their staff are to be commended for their beliefs, their commitment to excellence, and their incredible love and compassion.

I was so honored to compete in the Mrs. International pageant this year. I knew beforehand that I was going to be among a field of unbelievably accomplished, educated and passionate women. Upon arrival that reality was even more evident as I spoke with women like Cynthia Ducett who has dedicated her life to preventing drug abuse in teens since losing her daughter to a tragic overdoes; Shannon Devine who has dedicated herself to spreading the life saving message of organ and tissue donation; Sasha Townsend who has a passion for raising children in a healthy environment, and supporting them through the worst of times; Michelle Beckwith whose personal loss has empowered her to become a passionate spokesperson and activist on behalf of prostate cancer victims across the nation. I could go on and on and on, but the knowledge that I was singled out as the representative for a group such as this is overwhelming, unbelievable and amazingly humbling. And not only were all of the contestant spiritually beautiful, they were all physically beautiful as well! Everyone glowed from the inside, and there were some of the most beautiful evening gowns I have ever seen in my life on that stage. What an incredible event it was! Matt Davenport and his production team outdid themselves this year. The new PR firm, WPRK, organized several outings for the group that really made all of us feel so special. And of course, Mel, Mary and their staff were glorious to work with.

It is an unimaginable honor to have been chosen to represent this system this year. The International system has partnered with “Go Red for Women” as their national platform. I cannot begin to express what that means to me! As I left the stage after my crowning photos I was presented with my Swarovski “Go Red” dress pin from Monica Flores, the national head of “Go Red”. That was the moment of the evening that moved me to tears. After spending eight years with the AHA I am going to be able to spend this year as their “face”. God is amazing! There truly is a time, a season, and a purpose for everything.

The best of bad news!

Sorry for the delay in my updates to you. I have been at the hospital with dad in the CCU unit at every available moment. The pathology came back from dads cancer, and it was indeed the best of bad news! The cancer is stage 1A, and had not spread to the surrounding lymph system. PRAISE GOD!!! This last week has been more emotionally and physically exhausting than anything I could have ever imagined. For the last seven days we have been through countless tests, and each day has seemed to be endless hours of waiting to hear just how bad, or prayerfully, how good the outcome would be. We now know that my father is in the best situation in which one can be when the diagnosis is lung cancer. The oncologist has strongly recommended four full rounds of strong chemotherapy. None of us are looking forward to that treatment, but we also know that this cancer is aggressive, and tends to metastasize in the brain, liver or bone. Chemotherapy should greatly reduce the risk of it's return. We praise God daily for the miracle of the discovery of the cancer at such an early stage. Dad's prognosis is great. Now, we anticipate the journey through his recovery and look forward to celebrating his cure.

The Heart Association is and always will be my passion. I've devoted almost a decade of my life in service to the AHA, and to educating women to the dangers they face from this killer, and I look forward to many decades more. During dads illness I have still been attending meetings and having phone conferences with the lobbyist group, and the heart ball committee. I've been told that our Health Initiatives team, of which I am a member, will definitely be travelling to the UK to meet in person with the Rt. honorable Dawn Primarolo in February of 2009. I'm honored and ecstatic; I've never been to the UK and can think of no better reason for my first trip "over the pond". But, I'm also really looking forward to forming my fist ever Relay for Life team. It will be an honor to devote some of my volunteer hours in honor of my father. Kevin, Mom, Leigh and I will relish the opportunity to honor and repay him for the hours of support he has given to us all. Watch out cancer; here we come.

Update on dad

Dad had his surgery today and Praise to God it went very smoothly. It began at 12:30, and was over around 5:00. The entire lower lobe of the left lung was removed, along with all of the lymph system surrounding the area. The surgeon told us that he saw no visible evidence of cancer in the lymph structure. We should have the pathology back from both the growth in the lung and the lymphatic system surrounding it within about 48 hours. Our prayer is that God continue to be with my father as he recovers, and give him the strength that he will need as his treatment continues. We are anticipating radiation and one full round of chemotherapy. We will know more once the staging process is complete. Until then, let me extend my personal thanks to each of you who have reached out with emails, phone calls and notes. You have no idea what your kindness and love means to me at this moment. It is your support and encouragement that are carrying me through this difficult and terrifying time. I treasure each word, and each of you! Please excuse my brevity; my entire family and I are exhausted. I know God will give us the strength we need to endure for dad through this time. Love to you all-Laine

Prayers for my father

July has always been an important month to my family. My beautiful sister, 8 years my junior, was born on the first of this month. My mother underwent her triple bypass surgery and began the journey to a healthy life in this same 31 day period, and we have always celebrated my father’s birth on the 12th with delight.

My father and I are just alike. We think alike, we talk alike, our physical characteristics are almost identical (thanks for the short waist dad!). I inherited my love of public speaking, and my heart for the public from him. My father is an amazing man. He graduated from high school in 1966 at the top of his class. His ACT score was one point shy of perfect, and his SAT earned him a spot on the list of National Merit Scholars for that year. He led his debate team all through high school, and it was his skill in that field that aid his way through what was then Central State University in Edmond Oklahoma. His intended career field was medicine. My father dreamed of being a cardiovascular surgeon, an irony that would not go unnoticed in years to come. God had other plans. After finishing college, once again at the top of his class, my father surrendered to the ministry. He received his masters of Theology and Philosophy from Southwestern Theological Seminary on Fort Worth Texas in 1974, when I was one year old.

My father has always been the grounding force in my life. In the most important and difficult moments in my life he has been a stalwart against the storm. It was my father that pulled me from the wreckage of our car when a drunk driver hit us when I was four years old, and I was pinned between the dash and steering wheel. It was my father who taught me to ride a bike, swing a bat, and love my neighbor. My father is a living example of what it means to be a “Christian”. It was my father who held my mothers hand as the healed from her bypass surgery, and who encouraged my sister and I while we watched her struggle for her life. It has been my father on many occasions that attended American Heart Association and TWTH events when my precious husband was unable, to take photos or video, or just be a supportive face.

My father has lung cancer. My amazingly gifted father, who has devoted his life to service, who has never smoked a cigarette or worked in an asbestos factory, has lung cancer. He was diagnosed on the fourth of July with adenocarcinoma. A fluke in a test meant to uncover problems in his heart found it extremely early. We thank God for the miracle of that. He will undergo surgery on Tuesday to remove the bottom lobe of his left lung, and it will be determined what directions we need to go after that to prayerfully have a full recovery. It is hard to believe I am actually writing these words, but to do so is in it's own way cathartic.

So many of you are faithful friends and followers of my blog and Taking Wellness to Heart. I ask that you keep all of us in your prayers at this time, and that you especially have my father, David Hatfield, in your thoughts.

Most sincerely and with love, Laine

"Project Red Dress" 2008 a SUCCESS!

In slightly more than a week we will celebrate my mothers eighth birthday. Naturally, it isn’t her actual birthday, that day falls on April the 18^th of every year. No, this birthday is the day we celebrate her successful open heart surgery, which bypassed three blockages in arteries of her heart. On July 10^th we’ll mark eight years of life and love that we may not have had if she hadn’t received an accurate diagnosis in time. As a woman suffering from heart disease nearly a decade ago, she almost didn’t. Since that time I’ve made it my personal mission to make sure that every woman I have the opportunity to come into contact with has the weapons they need to protect themselves from the nations leading killer of women.

This last weekend I was so honored to speak to the group of ladies who assembled for the second annual “Project Red Dress” event. “Project Red Dress” is in conjunction with the “Go Red for Women” campaign. Designers from across the state and nation designed amazing red gowns, which were modeled in a fashion show. Winners were chosen from both a professional and amateur category, and each winner received round trip airfare to New York and tickets to the national “Go Red” fashion show. There were approximately 500 women in attendance, and I was thrilled to be able to share with them the mission of “Go Red”, and invite them to join the “You’re the Cure” network. I always speak about my mothers experience obtaining a diagnosis, and my own struggle to receive treatment. I am always overwhelmed by the response of the audience. Sadly, there are always attendees who share with me stories of their loved ones struggle to get an accurate diagnosis, for which there was no happy ending. It is my dream and mission to see to it that every woman gets the adequate care that is needed to insure that no one die an early and senseless death from heart disease.

You’ll also no doubt notice that I am wearing a banner in these photos. I am so excited and honored to be Mrs. Southeast International 2008. I will be leaving for Chicago on July the 14^th to compete in the 2008 Mrs. International pageant. Mrs. International really embodies all that is good and of value in married women’s pageantry. Mrs. International is a woman of high moral fortitude, integrity, passion, drive and honor. This incredible organization has partnered with the American Heart Association, and has chosen "Go Red For Women" as their national platform. Having been involved in "Go Red" since it's inception I cannot imagine a better opportunity to promote both organizations which hold such a special place in my heart.

Meeting with Incoming Speaker Wills

This email just came in from our Lobbyist Leader, Barbie Kumpe;

"Laine and Dan, I wanted to ask both of you to attend a meeting with incoming Speaker Robbie Wills. I will be calling to set up an appointment with him to discuss our issues for the coming session. I don’t have a date but would like for both of you to go with me. Can you let me know if you are willing and then I will try to set a meeting with him. I know it will depend on the date and time if you can go but you both are my first choice for attending.

Barbara Kumpe

American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

South Central Affiliate/Arkansas

909 West Second Street

P.O. Box 1610

Little Rock, AR 72203

Toll Free - 866.877.5883 Ex. 4134

Little Rock Directline - 501.379.1182

Cell - 501.951.2992

Fax - 501.375.9066"

This is extremely exciting, as we are getting a head start on the upcoming legislative session. Any time there is such a huge shift in the legislative body as we will experience this session it is imperative that we have the ear of those officials. I'll keep you posted on this meeting, and the upcoming Advocacy group meeting!

Help Us Help You!

Every voice is important, but there is strength in numbers. The more You're the Cure advocates we have talking to their elected officials, the better our chances of successfully pushing heart-healthy policies. Do you know someone affected by heart disease or stroke? Is a friend or colleague passionate about these issues? Please encourage your friends, family and colleagues to join the You're the Cure network!

Congress: Help Saves Lives in Schools!

Each year 166,000 Americans suffer a sudden cardiac arrest outside of the hospital. Sadly, more than 95%, die before reaching medical care. But a simple device and some basic training on how to respond in these emergency situations can help prevent tragedies.

Right now, legislators are considering an important bill — the Josh Miller HEARTS Act — which would establish a grant program to help schools pay for automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and training. The bill was prompted by the tragic death of 15-year-old Josh Miller who suffered sudden cardiac arrest at a high school football game. It recognizes the importance of providing schools with the equipment and training necessary to save the lives of children and adults in the education community as part of an overall medical emergency response plan.

Quick application of proper CPR and defibrillation can make a difference and save lives. This bill would establish a grant program to help your schools purchase AEDs and provide training for their use, for cases of sudden cardiac arrest on school grounds.

Tell your lawmakers to help make our schools safer for everyone by supporting the Josh Miller HEARTS Act today!

Laine and Kevin Kick off Heart Ball planning for 2009!

Planning for the 2009 Heart Ball began yesterday with a bang! It is hard to believe it has already been a year since we started planning for the ’08 event, but time seems to fly when there is so much to do. Kevin and I were honored to serve on the ’08 Auction Board for the event, and we along with the other 8 members of the board were successful in raising over 1.1 million dollars for the American Heart Association in ONE EVENING! That is a huge number to try to duplicate, especially in these difficult economic times when giving to charitable organizations is down across the board. However, we will continue undaunted! We hope to up our overall giving at the event to 1.6 million for 2009. We are once again lead by the incredible Carol Dyer, whose hard work and dedication to this event has made it the largest in the nation. Our small but determined board is ready for the 2009 challenge! I’ll be keeping you posted on our progress.

FIT KIDS

The childhood obesity rate has now reached epidemic proportions in our country. With overweight children at greater risk of developing heart disease as adults, it is imperative that we, as a nation, take steps now to reverse this trend. Please join me and urge Congress to support the FIT Kids Act.

Tell Congress that we consider the health of our children a priority – send your message today!

By 2010, 20% of U.S. children are expected to be obese. While many factors have contributed to this alarming rise in overweight children, one of the main culprits is a decrease in the physical activity levels of today’s youth.

The FIT Kids Act (The Fitness Integrated with Teaching Kids Act) addresses this specifically, seeking to amend the No Child Left Behind Act to ensure the quantity and quality of physical education in our schools is recognized.

But to get this critical piece of legislation passed we must reach out to our legislators and impress upon them the importance of making our kids health a priority … and that is where people like you come in.

If you haven’t already, please contact Congress right away.

It is imperative that our kids take part in regular physical education and learn to live healthier lifestyles, in order to reduce health risks including cardiovascular disease. Please don’t wait- join us in this critical effort and speak out for a healthier generation.

15 Minutes to TAKE ACTION!!

Friends,

As we draw near the end of our fiscal year, I wanted to personally thank you for your hard work and dedication to our mission. Your efforts directly impact the lives of so many. Cures that seemed impossible yesterday are possible today because of your unwavering commitment to our strategic impact goal of reducing coronary heart disease, stroke and risk by 25% by 2010.

Within the final days of this fiscal year we still have much work to do, and I would like to call on you for one final push to reach our affiliate goals.

Please join me on Monday, June 16 at 11:45 a.m. to be a part of "15 Minutes to Goal!"

"15 Minutes to Goal!" is a unique opportunity for staff and volunteers to simply take a short 15-minute break to:

• Invite 25 women (or men) to register for the Go Red For Women campaign,
• Recruit 25 women to take the Go Red For Women CheckUp, and
• Ask 25 African American women or men to take the Power To End Stroke pledge.

Tips: Call and recruit your friends, family, companies, vendors, volunteers, alliances, survivors, and caregivers. Ask each of them to recruit at least three people for you. Refer to our Go Red For Women e-mail template and our program benefits document for ideas.

Imagine reaching our affiliate goals in just 15 minutes. As Jim Collins, author of Good to Great states, "Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice, and discipline." Your commitment and determination to see this goal through will raise the South Central Affiliate from good to great. I look forward to reporting great results from the South Central Affiliate at our next Board of Directors meeting.

Action ALERT!! Your voice CAN make a difference!

Heroes aren’t born, they’re trained. This week is National CPR/AED Awareness Week. Now is the perfect time to educate lawmakers on the importance of having Automated External Defibrillators in public places, as well as training the public to use them and become heroes. The good news is the Arkansas Legislature passed a bill requiring an AED for every school in the state. However, no funding was made available so many schools lack these life saving devices. Please urge Arkansas lawmakers to make this funding a top priority when the legislature reconvenes next year. The American Heart Association strongly supports public access to AEDs for many reasons including: -Each year, more than 250,000 people suffer cardiac arrest, usually away from a hospital. More than 95 percent of them will die, in many cases because defibrillation occurs too late to reverse the cardiac arrest. -Every minute that passes before returning the heart to a normal rhythm after a cardiac arrest causes the chance of survival to fall by 10 percent. -In public places and schools where strong Public Access to Defibrillation (PAD) programs have been implemented which includes the placement of AED’s, survival from cardiac arrest has significantly improved. Thanks for your support! Laine

Nominated for L'Oreals "Woman of Worth" award

I am so honored to be able to share with you that I have been nominated for a L'Oreal "Women of Worth" award! This is one of those rare occasions where the nomination is as important as the award itself. Sherri Higgs of Texas, someone very special to me, who has followed my 8 year  volunteer career, nominated me for this very special honor. It is such a blessing to know that I have touched one persons life to such an extent that they find me worthy of this honor. Thank you Sherri for your faith in me and my work!


Dear Mrs Laine Berry,

Sheri wants to let you know that you have been nominated for the L’Oréal Paris 2008 Women Of Worth Award!

Here it is!!!

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About The Women Of Worth Award

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