WORDS FROM THE HEART 04. COMMUNITY IMPACT 07. COMMUNITY INITIATIVES 08. MAKING AN IMPACT: EVENTS 14. OUR IMPACT 25.
MISSIONTHE
Themissionofthe AmericanHeart Associationistobe arelentlessforcefor aworldoflonger, healthierlives.
WORDS FROM THE HEART
When the American Heart Association was founded on June 10, 1924, heart disease was considered a death sentence. The best option for many people was bed rest. There was no treatment, no hope. But our founders felt that if we only understood heart disease, treatments would follow. And they were right.
Fast-forward to today and there are not only treatments, but proven ways to lower risk for heart disease as well as stroke. Through scientific research and the power of millions of volunteers and supporters, we have a deeper understanding of the many factors that contribute to these diseases: from traditional medical issues such as high blood pressure to societal problems, structural racism and discrimination.
Despite the tremendous progress we’ve made, there is still so much work to do. Heart disease remains the No. 1 killer in Alabama, accounting for more than 15,000 deaths every single year – more than all forms of cancer combined.
At the core of our mission is our dedication to groundbreaking, lifesaving research. Since the 1970s, we've invested more than $80 million in research in Alabama to combat the state's top killers - heart disease and stroke. In our communities, we're tackling nutrition security to ensure everyone, regardless of their zip code, has access to fresh, healthy food for their families. We've successfully advocated for smoke-free ordinances with municipal and county leaders across the region. By expanding our work with local public libraries, we're addressing hypertension and bringing essential resources directly to the people.
We've taken unprecedented steps to ensure that at least one person in every household knows how to perform Hands-Only CPR. We continue to expand our partnerships with local organizations and businesses to teach this lifesaving skill to as many community members as possible. We are raising community awareness and educating about risk factors, warning signs, and local resources for heart and brain health through events, marketing campaigns, and coalition efforts.
Believe me when I say that none of this work would be possible without our dedicated supporters and volunteers. Without YOU.
Your local American Heart Association team is incredibly grateful for you and the impact we've made together as a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives in Alabama and beyond. While our work is far from done, we pause today to simply say thank you for bringing the American Heart Association's mission to life across Alabama through your enthusiastic support.
With heart,
BOARD REMARKS
On behalf of the Birmingham Board of Directors, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your unwaveringsupportinmakingourmissionareality.Your dedication helps us strive towards a world of longer, healthier lives. We are incredibly fortunate to have such amazing donors, volunteers, and our American Heart Association team, all of whom are more determined than ever to overcome health barriers by addressing societalandsystemicinequitiesinourcommunities.
For 100 years, the American Heart Association has been a champion for health equity in all communities. By partnering with community organizations that tackle social determinants of health and raising funds for vital research and resources, we can ensure that every Alabamian has the opportunity to live the life they deserve.
Our commitment to community action and service is deeply ingrained in us all. We invite you to join us in 2025 and beyond as we continue to address health disparitiesandpromoteequitablehealthforanother100 years.
Your efforts are making a significant impact, and we deeply appreciate your dedication to the mission of the AmericanHeartAssociation
Withgratitude,
Ned Rand Board Chair
Dr. James Davies Board President
EQUITABLE HEALTH
Since the American Heart Association’s founding in 1924, deaths from cardiovascular diseases have been cut in half. And yet, there are still so many lives to be saved. Recently, death rates have worsened, and equity gaps have widened. Solutions are not gettingtothepeoplewhoneedthemthemost.Wearecommittedtochangethat.
Nutrition security, hypertension, maternal health, CPR, and tobacco/vaping are our greatestchallengeshereinAlabama.
2028 Impact Goal
Building on over 100 years of trusted leadership in cardiovascular and brain health, by 2028 the AHA will drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy and care for healthier people and communities. The greatest discoveries in health must reach people where they are.
Weareworkingtogethertoaddresswaystoimprovehealthandreducesocioeconomic barriers in our rural, urban and suburban communities. From supplying healthy, nutritious foods and medical resources to providing education and training, we are working to create long-term sustainable changes that we long to see in our community.Morethanever,ourworkinthecommunityistakingcenterstage.
As we work toward our 2028 goal, the Association will continue to strive toward our vision of “Advancing health and hope for everyone, everywhere” through many strategiestoimproveequitablehealthforall.
COMMUNITY
IMPACT
of major cardiovascular events in the United States were attributable to low and moderate cardiovascular health.
2022 Statistical Update
The American Heart Association is committed to drivingequitablehealthimpactinAlabamathrough five key priority areas: reducing risks for women's hearthealth;addressingcommunityneeds;tobacco and vaping cessation; reducing the impact of heart disease, stroke and chronic conditions; and total health and well-being. Equity is always at the center of our work, and it will continue to guide all thatwedo.
WHAT WE'RE DOING IN THE GREATER ALABAMA
Since first launching in 2023, our Libraries with Heart program has expanded to six library systems across Alabama: Andalusia, Birmingham, Chilton County, Hale County, Muscle Shoals and Opp. Libraries with Heart is a free, community-based, self-measured blood pressure and connection-to-care initiative designed to help residents learn how to accurately measure and control their blood pressure. To date, we’ve placed 53 blood pressure kits at participating library branches, increasing access for more than 630,000monthlylibraryvisitorsservedintheseareas.
HYPERTENSION
COMMUNITY
In 2024, we hosted our second STEM Goes Red event in Birmingham. As part of the Go Red for Women movement, STEM Goes Red aims to empower young girls to pursue opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics fields. More than 200 middle- and high-school girls from Shelby County schools joined us to hear from local businesswomen and corporate leaders on the importance of STEM and how they as the next generation can make an impactonthefutureofwomen’shearthealth.
WOMEN’S HEALTH
The American Heart Association remains committed to turning a nation of bystanders into a Nation of Lifesavers through educating and training our community in the lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR. Through the support of our sponsors and community partners, our goal is at least onepersonineveryhouseholdtrainedinHands-OnlyCPR.
Last year, we established a formal Cardiac Emergency Response Plan with local YMCA branches, and we officially launched our Hands-Only CPR program with Birmingham Fire & Rescue, which will teach this skill to community members across the city at no cost. To date, more than 2,500peoplehavebeentrained.
HANDS-ONLY CPR
The America Heart Association’s HeartCorps initiative is designedtosupportthoselivinginruralareaswhereresidents face a critical shortage of healthcare professionals, including publichealthworkers.TwoHeartCorpsmembersarecurrently serving with the MOWA Band of Choctaw Indians in northern MobileandWashingtonCounties.
Through public outreach and community engagement, HeartCorps members are working to improve hypertension control rates and increase public proficiency in Hands-Only CPR. They are also supporting Cardiac Emergency Response Plan implementation for tribal facilities, which includes formation of a Cardiac Emergency Response Team and installationofthreeAEDdevicesonthetribalreservation.
RURAL HEALTH
ADVOCACY
The American Heart Association’s public policy and community advocacy program initiatives work alongside leaders at the local, state and federal levels to tackle policy efforts affecting our region. Our priorities include expanding access to care, enforcing strong tobacco retail licensing laws, and ensuring access to healthy, nutritiousfood.
During the 2024 legislative session, we successfully lobbied for passage of the John Wesley Foster Act, which requires all schools in Alabama to have a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan that instructs people to dial 911, start CPR, and use an AED on campus and at school-sponsoredathleticeventsinthecaseofa cardiacemergency.TheActisnamedafterJohn Wesley Foster, a Gadsden, Ala., boy who died afterexperiencingcardiacarrestattheageof9 inNovember2006.
Wealsosuccessfullydefendedagainstavaping bill that would have unfairly penalized kids for using tobacco products, instead of tobacco retailers.
SCHOLARS PROGRAM
COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
Our Scholars Program at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) helps minority students attain professional degrees in the biomedical and health sciences fields with the goal of increasing the number of Blackstudentswhoapplyandareacceptedintograduate programs.Throughtheprogram,studentslearnaboutthe health of their communities, participate in research projects and explore varied career paths alongside volunteer mentors. During the 2023-2024 academic year, wefunded12HBCUScholarshereinAlabama.
2023-2024 SCHOLARS
Jannah Adams Tuskegee University
Jaden Clemon Miles College
Iaisha Hampton Stillman College
Tashana Hawkins Miles College
Ermine Jean Stillman College
Taylor Lawrence Tuskegee University
Melissa Mason Stillman College
Mehgan Owens Miles College
Janecia Smith
Lawson State
LaFaith Stevenson
Lawson State
Keshala Williams Stillman College
Kimani Williams Tuskegee University
KIDS HEART CHALLENGE
Kids Heart Challenge actively engages local children in the mission of the American Heart Association, preparing them for success through physicalandemotionalwell-being.
Kids Heart Challenge is held at hundreds of schoolsacrossAlabama,deliveringheart-healthy physical activity through service learning for the American Heart Association. The events engage school students with cardio-pumping challenges likejumprope,basketballskills,andmore.
Building on key learnings from 40 years in America’s schools, the Kids Heart Challenge is taking a bold new direction toward whole body wellness, helping students improve their own health and better their character while raising funds for the American Heart Association to help kids facing heart health issues. In the 2023-2024 school year, more than 400 Alabama schools participated, raising more than $1.7 million.
Top 10 Kids Heart Challenge Schools in Alabama
FEBRUARYISAMERICANHEARTMONTH
In2024,supportersoftheAmericanHeartAssociationonceagainturnedourstatered torecognizeAmericanHeartMonth.Nearlyadozenlandmarksandbuildingsacross Alabamalitupred,whilenewsanchors,volunteersanddonors-andevensomeofour four-leggedfriends-woreredtoraiseawarenessofhearthealth.
MAKING AN IMPACT
Our annual events provide an opportunity to celebrate heart and stroke survivors, community leaders and supporters for the transformational work being done in our community. Through Heart Walk, Hard Hats with Heart, Go Red for Women, and Heart Ball, our work focuses on equitable health, workplace wellness and women’s health.
$683,411
Mark Mattox, Chair
Robins & Morton
Clayton Hinchman, Chair
Jo & Janee Bonner, Chairs
University of South Alabama
Cody Williamson, Chair
Creek Indian Enterprises
Development Authority
Dr.SuzanneOparil
Heart of Gold Honoree
$640,308
Will Irby, Chair Cintel
Rebekah Elgin-Council, Chair
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
Birmingham: $735,091
Tom Boyle, Chair Encompass Health
Tonia Turner, Co-Chair
Tonia Turner Events & Design
Baldwin County: $308,000
Marlo Webb, Co-Chair
High Cotton Bath Company
Scan to view full photo galleries from all our events!
OUR IMPACT
In 2024, the impact of the American Heart Association across Alabama included working to address nutrition security, eliminating hypertension, addressing tobacco and vaping, and investing in various projects across the community.
774,600
Alabama residents impacted through 26 Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change initiatives.
Currently, the American Heart Association is funding $21 million in research in Alabama. organic social media engagements OVER 50,000
32 hospitals in Alabama participate in one or more of our Get With The Guidelines® programs, demonstrating a commitment to quality healthcare for patients.
10,000 people trained in Hands-Only CPR
12
HBCU Scholars Program participants at HBCUs in Alabama.
4 partnering clinics are improving blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes for thousands of patients through our suite of outpatient programs.
66 quality media placements
for passage of the John Wesley Foster Act, which requires all schools in Alabama to have a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan that instructs people to dial 911, start CPR, and use an AED on campus and at school-sponsored athletic events in the case of a cardiac emergency. SUCCESSFULLYADVOCATED
6
million raised to fund lifesaving mission of the American Heart Association in Alabama.
GoldSponsors
SilverSponsors
CampaignSponsors
TO OUR SPONSORS THANK YOU
Go Red for Women Hard Hats with Heart
TO OUR SPONSORS THANK YOU
Huntsville
Heart Ball Heart Walk
PlatformSponsor
PresentingSponsors
SignatureSponsor
PlatinumSponsors
GoldSponsors
PresentingSponsor
SignatureSponsors
PlatinumSponsors
GoldSponsors
TO OUR SPONSORS THANK YOU
Huntsville
Hard Hats with Heart
SignatureSponsors
GoldSponsor
Level1Sponsors
Tuscaloosa Heart Walk
SignatureSponsor
DiamondSponsors
As the American Heart Association celebrated our 100th birthday in 2024, we would like to extend our appreciation to the generous donors and sponsors of our Second Century Campaign. Your support is the heartbeat of our organization and will help ensure our continued success as we enter the next 100 years.
SECOND CENTURY SUPPORTERS
American Family Care
Dr. James & Susan Davies
Dr. Suzanne Oparil
Birmingham
Heart Walk - March 8
Go Red for Women - May 16
Hard Hats with Heart - TBA
Huntsville
Heart Ball - April 26
Heart Walk - May 10
Hard Hats with Heart - TBA
Tuscaloosa
Heart Walk - March 1
Mobile/Baldwin Co.
Art for Heart Gala - April 5
Mobile Heart Walk - TBA Baldwin Heart Walk - TBA
BOARD OF DIRECTORS FY2024-2025
Chair
Ned Rand ProAssurance
President
Dr. James Davies
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Leadership Development Chair Health Impact Chair
Brian Edwards
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
Dr. Lewis Brooks Shelby County School System
Jeremy Clark Brookwood Baptist Health
David Cox Southern Company
Dr. Robert Dabal Children’s of Alabama
Dr. Tom Eagan Cardiovascular Associates
Nancy Goedecke Mayer Electric (Retired)
Anntwinette Ragland Southern Company
Lizzi Willicott
Executive Director
STAFF PARTNERS
GREATER ALABAMA
Kayla Owen Vice President, Development
Jack Goldberg
Development Director, Heart Walk
Beth Gregory
Development Director, Heart Ball
Stephanie Cline
Sr. Development Director, Huntsville Heart Walk
Kim Baldwin Vice President, Health Strategies
Christen Lawrence Director, Community Impact
Maryclaire Wilson
Development Director, Huntsville Heart Ball
Josh Till, APR Director, Communications & Marketing
Matthew Leo Development Director, Go Red for Women
Whitni Molden
Development Director, West Alabama Heart Walk
STAFF PARTNERS
MOBILE/BALDWIN CO. ADVOCACY
Evan Duffy Director, Community Impact
Bridgett Dunn Development Director
Eric Lee Development Director
Bethany South Development Director
YOUTH MARKET
Anna-Catherine Blevins
Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Morgan, Winston County
Bronwyn Cook
Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Geneva, Henry, Houston County
Brittany Parrish
Blount, Calhoun, Cullman, Etowah, Jefferson, Marshall, St. Clair, Tuscaloosa County
Jada Shaffer Government Relations Lead
Jamie Pope
Autauga, DeKalb, Lee, Montgomery, Shelby, Talladega, Walker County
LOGISTICS & DATA
Meghan Robinson
Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe, Washington County
Beth Box Hicks Birmingham
Alisa Schnabel Huntsville, Tuscaloosa
Heather Woyak Birmingham, Mobile/Baldwin County
