February 2010

News of a grant to support the Cath Patient program, announcement of a new Mended Hearts staff member, a reminder about why chapter year-end reports are critical MH business operations, an update on a highly successful round of teleconferences with chapter presidents and visiting chairmen; news of a valentine from the artist for “Dennis the Menace”, an update on the 58th annual MH convention, news of the Medtronic Foundation’s Global Heroes program,  multiple activities from our Mended Little Hearts leaders, Mended Hearts’ participation in with SCAI on Capitol Hill, news of two new compelling books written by Mended Hearts members, and correct information to counter misinformation related to a new form of aspirin on the market and ‘cough CPR’ round out this month’s (very busy!!) IB…

Cath Patient Outreach Gets Big Boost With Welcome Funding

As most members are well aware by now, Mended Hearts has launched a major effort to extend the reach of its visiting program into the cath lab on a nationwide basis.  Chaired by longtime leader Steve Stanko, the expansion was successfully piloted in five chapters this fall and looks to expand into even more chapters this spring.  Details on the expansion will be forthcoming in a mailing to chapter presidents later this month.  The program recently received a major boost with funding support from the pharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca.  The one-year grant will enable Mended Hearts and program partner, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI),  to develop cath patient-specific visiting materials, training resources and ongoing communications support.

Baker to Helm Field Services Post; 28 Years of Experience Should Help!

Mended Hearts is pleased to announce that Marcia Baker has joined the National Office team as new director of Field Services.  She assumed her position last month following the transition of Steve Vanderpoel, who resigned in mid-January.  Marcia comes to her position with 28 years of experience at the American Heart Association where she was most recently responsible for the program content at AHA’s scientific conferences, including its annual Scientific Sessions with more than 1,500 invited faculty.  In a career that includes multiple responsibilities initiating, planning, executing and monitoring projects of all types, Marcia has worked with diverse volunteers and staff throughout the country.  Prior to her posts at the national level of AHA, she was with the Illinois Affiliate for 12 years, including five years as program director.  Marcia has already rolled up sleeves in support of our efforts by helping to manage more than a dozen conference calls and trips in the field, where she is today.  Please join us in welcome Marcia to the team.  If you have not yet communicated with her, the e-mail address is Marcia.baker@heart.org.

Year-End Reports Yield Valuable Data; Chapter Input Critical to MH Accountability

February 8 was the deadline for chapters to get in their annual reports on activities for the 2009 year.  While most reports are in, a few chapters are still putting final touches on getting the reports to their ARDs, so that they may be reviewed and forwarded to RDs by March 8.  As a reminder, the reports really are an integral part of the MH business process.  Compilations from the chapters are critical to our accountability and are used to report out to our sponsors, allies and other organizations our many activities in visiting, chapter progress, and financial stability.  As just one example, we know from previous year’s reports that our support in fundraising activities to the American Heart Association are significant – and help make the case for us to request grant support each year.  Similarly, we use results from the reports to determine many of our internal recognition awards.  As if this all weren’t important enough, your leadership also uses the data to determine strategic decisions, including organizational strengths and areas in need of increased support.  So, if your chapter happens to be one that has not yet completed the reports, please get them to your ARD as soon as possible.  If you need assistance  from the national office, please contact Marcia the address noted above. 

Visiting Calls Prompt Record Attendance

In late January and early February MH national Executive Vice  President Gus Littlefield and national Visiting Chairman Don Arvay hosted a series of conference calls with chapter visiting chairmen and presidents.  A record number of participants joined in the calls – 175 participants in five calls.  The focus of the teleconferences was a review of highlighted changes to the Visiting Manual, Lessons Guide and Accredited Visitors Manual.  While there we no major changes to the program’s primary policies or procedures,  the materials have been conveniently streamlined and are designed to be more user friendly.  Many participants commented on the value of the connection – not only with national leadership but also with each other -- and requested continued outreach.

No Menace Intended in This Dennis

With a tip of the hat to Chapter #152 President Jim Russell, the National Office was alerted to a comic strip that appeared in the December 8 Dallas Morning News and other papers nationwide that will be of interest to Mended Hearts members.  It was a “Dennis the Menace” panel that had Dennis’ nemesis (try saying THAT a few times) and sometime girlfriend Margaret saying to a friend, “I decided that instead of BREAKING hearts, I’ll be a cardiologist and MEND them instead.”  In follow up, we sent a note to the artist Marcus Hamilton thanking him for that (originator Hank Ketcham is deceased).  He wrote us back and sent an autographed original signed, “Best Wishes to the Mended Hearts, Marcus Hamilton.”  In an accompanying letter, Mr. Hamilton shared that he’s a heart attack survivor from 10 years ago and had bypass surgery.  He thanked our members for all they do.  [Note:  Mended Hearts VP Sue Borum extended an offer to the South Carolinian to become involved in his local chapter, but he regrettably explained he is unable at this time due to other commitments.]

National Convention Update – Many Memories to Be Made in Minnesota

According to National Convention Chairman Connie Butler plans are shaping up nicely for what promises to be a memorable meeting in Minnesota in May (and how’s THAT for alliteration??)  Save the Dates (May 19-23) featuring this year’s theme, “More Than Surviving.  We’re THRIVING” were mailed in January and here’s a sneak peak at what chapters can expect:  One of the highlights is sure to be a trip to the campus of Medtronic, an industry leader in cardiovascular medical devices.  Plans are still being finalized but currently call for a special exhibition for Mended Hearts members,  a reception and dinner with a special presentation of Mended Hearts’ Harken Award and a keynote address about medical advances on the horizon.  Also planned will be general sessions highlighting new patient education resources and campaigns, breakout sessions on topics as diverse as “computer basics 101” for the Mended Hearts members to the latest tips on making the most of social media and MH implications.  Other topics on innovative ideas for chapter meetings and management, visiting “vitals”, hospital relationships, newsletters and Mended Little Hearts group integration with MH chapter are a few of the sessions to expect.  MH leadership is really hoping more chapters than ever before will send a representative to learn the “latest and greates” and perhaps have more than a little fun along the way!

Here are a few convention advance items to make note:

Pre-registration packets are due to be mailed in early March.

In the “Save the Date” mailing, chapters were asked to send in photos or examples of how members are “thriving”.  We plan to do a slideshow of pictures of members working on their hobbies, hugging family, busy at work, etc…action photos encouraged!  Photos should include ‘thriving’ member’s name, contact information, chapter number and BRIEF explanation of why they are ‘thriving’   A self-addressed envelope should be included if the photo must be returned.  If sending electronically, send to Marti Samples at marti.samples@heart.org.  By mail, to her at the National Office address.  These are needed by April 2!
Program Book ads – sizes, costs and preferred file format was included in the mailing – ads are due to Nancy Dunkelberg (nancyd@cfu.net)  by April 12
Exhibits – space is available to chapters for $50 for the week.  Contact Frank Cecco at fjc1204@aol.com for details.  Deadline to have exhibit listed in program book is April 12, but registrations accepted until May 7.
Donation of Raffle Items – chapter support to the convention is always welcomed.  Hand-made items such as quilts, jewelry, art must be received no later than May 14.  Contact Janette Edwards at janette.edwards@heart.org for details.
Win at trip to Minnesota – drawing held April 24.  Top prize is roundtrip air fare up to $400, registration and meals, and hotel rooms; Second place is five nights hotel room and third place is for registration and meals.  Raffle tickets are $10 each or three for $25.  For raffle tickets, contact Marti.samples@heart.org.

Medtronic Foundation Continues Support to MH; Sponsors Global Heroes; Seeks Potential Runners for 2010

While speaking of Medtronic in terms of our convention – most members are aware that for the past seven years the Medtronic Foundation has supported Mended Hearts with annual grants to enable our Field Services program.  This support has totaled more than $670,000 and are funds without which we would not have been able to expand our program services so dramatically that we average more than 215,000 patient visits each year.  On top of this, and in a continuing show of support, the Foundation recently donated an additional $3,000 to Mended Hearts on behalf of three participants in its Global Heroes program.   The three Heroes are Liz Berry, Christine Kelley and Deby Kumasaka.  Berry, who has an aortic heart valve, and Kelley and Kumusaka, who have pacemakers, were chosen by the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon to be part of its 2009 class of 25 Global Heroes, after a worldwide search for runners whose lives have been improved with the help of medical devices.  As part of the Global Heroes program, the Medtronic Foundation donates $1,000 to a nonprofit patient organization on behalf of each runner.  Please note:  The Medtronic Global Heroes program for 2010 is also underway.  Applications are now being accepted for this unique program that brings runners from around the world who benefit from medical devices to Minnesota to run in Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon events.  The deadline for the applications for 2010 is March 31. Recipients receive two paid entries into the marathon, plus transportation for the Global Hero, lodging and meals, plus an array of event benefits.  The Medtronic Foundation then donates $1,000 on behalf of each runner to their non-profit of choice.  More details are at www.medtronic.com/globalheroes.  If you know of a runner with a device who you think would be interested, be sure to visit the application page and enter their e-mail address in the “recommend a runner section.

Mended Little Hearts = Big Activities

Mended Little Hearts (MLH) will be prominently featured at an American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology event on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC next week – a briefing to bring attention to the issue of congenital heart defects.  MLH national program coordinator Jodi Lemacks will be the featured speaker along with the MLH volunteer coordinator in Richmond, VA, Lauren Gray, an adult congenital heart disease survivor.  The activity is just one of many involving MLH throughout the nation during American Heart Month. For example, earlier this month, MLH participated in the International Congenital Heart Defect Symposium in St. Petersburg, Florida. Cardiologists at All Children's Hospital in the area generously funded a booth for MLH. Medical professionals from all over the nation were in attendance as MLH is promoting our organization in an effort to make positive connections, especially with the medical community, and start more MLH groups, which today total 48.  As a reminder, MLH was launched in 2004 with two groups.  During Congenital Heart Defect Awareness week Feb. 7-14, MLH participated in numerous proclamation signings and media activities to draw attention to the needs of this community.

The congenital heart defect issue will get additional notice in Washington later this spring as Mended Little Hearts, for the second year, co- sponsors National Congenital Heart Defect Lobby Day – this year on April 22, 2010.  We are working with the Adult Congenital Heart Association and Children's Heart Foundation to talk to our legislators about improving research and funding for congenital heart defects.  For MLH volunteers interested in more information and to register, please visit https://www.achaheart.org/getinvolved/lobbyday2010.php.

Mended Hearts on the Hill and in the Spotlight – Again!

Mended Hearts will be joining with our partners at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention (SCAI), along with Association of Black Cardiologists, and WomenHeart in a March 2 program at the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, DC entitled, “The Path to Health Care Equity:  Identifying and Solving Racial, Ethnic and Gender Disparities in Heath Care in the New Century”  Joining a distinguished panel of physicians and other experts will be Mended Hearts member Bruce Johnson, who will share his compelling patient story.  Mr. Johnson is a local television news personality in the Washington area and has also written a book, “Heart to Heart” (see below).

Author!  Author!  Mended Hearts Members Pen Compelling Books; Mention MH

Two Mended Hearts members have recently published books that will be of particular interest to fellow Mended Hearts members – and we’re happy to report both books prominently mention Mended Hearts!.  As mentioned above, Bruce Johnson’s story is profiled in “Heart to Heart” – a collection of unique heart patient stories that also includes a chapter on Neal Gregory, president of Chapter #94.  More on Mr. Johnson’s book can be found at www.brucejohnsonhearttoheart.com  Another book that will be of interest to members, especially those who met Dr. Kathy Magliato at last year’s convention is her book, “Healing Hearts: A Memoir of a Female Heart Surgeon”. Dr. Magliato garnered rave reviews as a speaker and is capturing similar attention as an author, according to Publisher’s Weekly.  She is one of a handful of female heart surgeons, and more exclusively one of the few cardiothoracic surgeons specially trained to perform heart transplants.  Members will be pleased to see references to Mended Hearts and an entry about Bob Johnson, a beloved Mended Heart member who was a transplant patient of Dr. Magliato’s who passed away last summer for reasons unrelated to his transplant.  Here’s a link to the Amazon location of  the book:
http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Hearts-Memoir-Female-Surgeon/dp/0767930266/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262901923&sr=8-1

Take Two Statements and Call me in the Morning….

Several members have inquired about an e-mail that is circulating as a viral “Public Service Announcement” about the benefits of keeping by the bedside a crystallized form of aspirin in response to the symptoms of a heart attack.  The American Heart Association says that nothing should take away from a patient calling 9-1-1 FIRST at the signs of a heart attack.  Here’s the AHA position on aspirin and note that it contains information about calling 9-1-1 BEFORE taking aspirin during a heart attack or stroke…  www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4456  In a similar vein, a message has circulated in the past, and surfaces now and then, erroneously recommending “Cough CPR” as a means to resuscitate.  Here is what the AHA has to say about that: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4535

That’s it for this month’s issue of the Internet Bulletin…see you next month!

Tim Elsner
Executive Director

The Mended Hearts, Inc.
National Office
7272 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75231-4596
214.360.6150
214.360.6145 FAX
tim.elsner@heart.org
www.mendedhearts.org