Missouri American Heart Association Day at the Capitol 2025: Advocates uniting to change the future of health

On February 3rd, 2025, the American Heart Association hosted the annual Missouri American Heart Association Day at the Capitol at the Capitol Building in Jefferson City, Missouri, bringing together eighteen passionate advocates, legislators, and Project ADAM. The primary purpose of the event was to advocate for Acute Cardiac Events in Schools.

Throughout the day, advocates held fifteen meetings with legislators and staff. Representative Danny Busick shared his personal story with our volunteers—he recently underwent emergency triple bypass surgery and is now a strong advocate for heart-related issues. Legislators responded positively, with many expressing support and committing to further discussions.

The event’s immediate outcomes were promising. Advocates reported that three offices committed to voting “yes,” and nine offices expressed support. The Governor voiced his support during our proclamation presentation. We also learned where some of the pushback is coming from and where follow-ups need to occur.

The day was filled with inspiring stories and impactful moments. One advocate, the Miss Missouri winner, shared that her father passed away from a heart attack. She now hopes to encourage everyone to learn CPR and is advocating for the implementation of Cardiac Emergency Response Plans. Dr. Deepa Mokshagundam shared the story of one of her patients, a 7-year-old who had to be saved from cardiac arrest at school, highlighting the importance of the issues at hand.

Overall, the Missouri American Heart Association Day at the Capitol 2025 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.