Kansas Advocacy Day: Advocates uniting to change the future of health

On January 21, 2025, the American Heart Association hosted its annual Kansas Advocacy Day at the capitol building in Topeka, Kansas, uniting sixty dedicated advocates and legislators. The event’s primary focus was to champion funding for CPR in Schools implementation and Telecommunicator CPR (T-CPR), ensuring more students and first responders receive critical life-saving training.

Throughout the day, advocates held twenty-five meetings with legislators and staff, including William and Alias Delfs, key CERP advocates. The Delfs continued their advocacy by meeting with a newly elected representative and senator to share the heartbreaking story of the loss of their son and twin brother, Rocky, to an Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

For William, the experience was deeply emotional, bringing him to tears as he reflected on the impact they are making in Rocky’s honor. Their efforts focused on preventing future tragedies through the passage of Telecommunicator CPR (T-CPR) and securing funding for CPR implementation in schools.

Legislators responded positively, with many expressing support and committing to further discussions. The event yielded promising immediate outcomes, including key meetings with Utilities Committee members. That afternoon, a hearing on SB 11, the T-CPR bill, was held within the committee, marking an important step forward in the legislative process.

The day was filled with inspiring stories and impactful moments. One advocate, Melissa Dodge, was given an award for her years of advocacy in support of closing Kansas’ health insurance gap. The American Heart Association will continue its advocacy in support of this important policy.

Overall, the Kansas Advocacy Day was a resounding success. It demonstrated the power of advocates uniting to change the future of health by speaking out and speaking up to advance policies that are improving lives and creating healthier communities. Check out press coverage of the event from WIBW and help us spread the word by liking and sharing our Facebook post.