The Valley Health System employees, shown here at the American Heart Association's annual walk, raised over $30,000.

The American Heart Association (AHA) and its American Stroke Association division are on a mission to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Their commitment to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and improving survivors' quality of life is clearly visible in Southern Nevada.

The AHA reaches those in need through programs such as the Saving Strokes golf clinic, where stroke survivors are given golf lessons to assist in their recovery, and the Jump Rope for Heart program at Las Vegas elementary schools.

"As we work in Clark County to provide the tools and information that encourage people to make healthier decisions, we are advocating for policies that build a healthier community," said Jason Belland, Executive Director of AHA in Las Vegas. "We also raise money to fund research looking for breakthroughs that will improve cardiovascular health."

At a national level, the AHA invests more money in heart and stroke research than any other private organization. According to recent reports, $137 million was invested in research on a national level. Of that, $11.8 million was awarded to the Western States Affiliate and $440,000 to Nevada.

AHA-funded research contributed to many important discoveries that we may often take for granted, such as CPR, pacemakers, bypass surgery and surgical techniques to repair heart defects.

Get Involved
For more information about the American Heart Association, please visit www.americanheart.org or call 702-367-1366.

The Valley Health System c/o Valley Hospital Medical Center 620 Shadow Lane Las Vegas, NV 89106