CPR and AED Workshop!

Have you heard?! The Rogers Memorial Library is holding a CPR and AED instructional course for parents and caregivers on Saturday, April 28, from 10:30 am- 12:30 pm! If you live in the Southampton or Tuckahoe school districts, call the Rogers Memorial Library at 631-283-0774, or stop by the library to find out how you can join in on this workshop!

XOXO,

Sarah

Safe Routes to Schools Video Update

As you may know, I have been asked to make a video to show to Senator Schumer in March about Safe Routes to Schools funding. Im happy to say that, with the help of my mom and sister, all the filming is finished and the video is currently being edited! When the video is done, I will be posting it here, as well as on the Heart U Facebook page! Stay tuned!

XOXO,

Sarah

Such a Beautiful Day!

Spring is just around the corner, and the weather is starting to get nicer and nicer! Make great use of these beautiful days by taking a walk, going skating, playing your favorite outdoor sport, or even walking around an outdoor shopping mall! You can even grab a friend or two for some extra heart healthy fun! What are you waiting for?

XOXO,

Sarah

Heart U Facebook Page

If you haven't already, check out the Heart U Facebook page! It's a great resource, in addition to this blog, to get updates on Heart U and tips on how to make your life just a little heart healthier! Just click the little "Like" button, and you'll instantly be able to follow the page and Heart U's progress!

XOXO,

Sarah

Taking a Walk While Making a Difference

Hello again! I'm so excited to be able to attend the American Heart Association's national lobby day again, on March 7! This year, I have the honor of meeting with Senator Schumer to talk to him about Safe Routes to School Funding. For those of you who don't know what that is, Safe Routes to School is supported by the Heart Association. The goal of Safe Routes to School is to ask for funding to build sidewalks and other safe ways for kids to get to school (walk, bike, skate, etc.). This would not only help kids get to school safely, but it would also help kids get daily exercise. Plus it helps save the environment!

However, this year I not only get to speak with Senator Schumer about Safe Routes to School Funding, but I was also asked to create a video to share with him as well. Today, with the help of my sister (who is also a Heart Association Youth Advocate), I will start filming that video. We will walk down to her school, and time how long it takes us to walk there. We will also note how many areas:

• don't have sidewalks
• are unsafe to cross due to highways or busy streets

And if that isn't enough, we are also getting some exercise and fresh (although cold) air! It's a win-win situation! I can't wait to film this video with my sister!

Here is the Safe Routes website with information about the program!

http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/

XOXO,

Sarah

The History of Heart U

Hi! My name is Sarah Pierson, and I am aYouth Advocate for the American Heart Association. I've been involved with the American Heart Association since 2010, when my grandfather suffered from an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Since then I have been lucky enough to attend both state and national lobby days for the American Heart Association. As a youth advocate at the national lobby day, I had to go through a day of training to learn how to communicate with my state's representatives. At this training, I learned a startling statistic. The statistic predicted that mygenerationwill be the first generation to die before our parents. I knew that I wanted extinguish this statistic as quickly as possible.

That's when I thought of creating an event that would raise awareness of healthy living. I was in eighth grade at the time, and I wanted to raise awareness in my school. I spoke with my principal, the student council, and my school's chapter of the

National Junior Honor Society to urge them to help me as I set up an event to take place at my school. I also recruited local businesses, such as yoga instruct

ors and chefs to demonstrate their heart healthy techniques.

On February 4, which is also the day after National Go Red for Women Day, Heart U became a reality. Many of my fellow students an

d their families came to Heart U to learn how to be more heart healthy! I was so excited that Heart U was a huge success! I plan to continue to promote heart healthy living, and I hope that you are just as excited about Heart U as I am!

Here are some photos of things that Heart U has done over the past few years:

Speaking with Senator Gillibrand at the American Heart Association 2011 National Lobby Day:

At the recent Red Out Basket Ball Game:

XOXO,

Sarah