Be Fit! Be Strong!: Fighting for equal health care for women!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Fighting for equal health care for women!

Last year, I lobbied to enact a very important law, to ban indoor smoking. This year our focus will be on promoting women's health and to fund more for women's health. Can we count on you to help as well? Please read the urgent letter I received as an advocate from the AHA:

Dear Maria,

I just got an email from one of the AHA's Government Relations Managers and had to share this important news with you...

From: Stephanie
To: Clarissa
Subject: FW: HEART Amendment

Hi Clarissa-
Senator Stabenow(MI) has filed the HEART for Women Act as an amendment
to the Senate's health care reform bill and grassroots support will be
critical. Can you ask our You're the Cure advocates to get in contact
with their Senators ASAP to help build support? Thanks!

Can we count on you to act?

Urge your Senators to help millions of women live longer, healthier lives by supporting the HEART for Women amendment.

Heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases are the No. 1 killer of American women, claiming the lives of more than 450,000 American women each year- a problem far too serious to ignore as the Senate debates the ways in which the health care system can best serve patients.

The amendment would add key provisions from the bipartisan-supported HEART for Women Act to the Senate health care reform legislation to help eliminate disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and stroke in women. This includes:

Expanding the CDC's WISEWOMAN heart disease and stroke screening and lifestyle modification program to low-income women in all 50 states.
Providing gender and race-specific information about new drugs and medical devices to clinicians, researchers, and the patients to help them make better-informed treatment decisions.

Regardless of your Senators' views on the overall Senate bill, you must let them know that you are counting on them to find common ground and support provisions that will have a real impact on the health of patients, such as the HEART for Women amendment. Send your message of support today!

I will keep you posted on the progress of this amendment.

Thank you for acting for women's heart health!

Clarissa Garcia
American Heart Association

Heart Disease and Stroke. You're the Cure.

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Where is Maria?

December '09-Christmas Party at Veteran's Hospital
December '09-Collecting toys for Salvation Army's Angels
January '10-Animal Planet films Bealls for show!
January '10-Virginia International workshop
January 23 '10-Kick off launch for Les Mills programs
January 29 '10-Deliver meals with Meals on Wheels
February 5-American Heart Association National Wear Red Day
February 14-Virginia International Pageant!
February 16th-Meeting with AHA to coordinate volunteer efforts for the Heart Ball in Richmond, VA
February 21-International fitness travel to Cancun!
February 27th-Day of Dance!
March 20, '10-Pennsylvania International pageant
April 17th, '10-Richmond Heart Ball at Science Museum
May '10-Key West trip
July 1 '10-Heart Walk, Richmond
Sept 12 '10-Heart Walk, Hampton Roads

Heart Smart facts

Getting to know me...

When I was just five years old, my father died of a faulty heart valve. He was only 39. I was raised by a single mom and we struggled financially and emotionally. My life was forever altered, as my mom tried to make a better life for us, and yet, we moved every two years. Then at the age of 20, I found myself 12 sizes overweight and going down a path of being unhealthy and miserable. However, with the direction of my mother-in-law, I took my first aerobic class. Within months, I was teaching fitness and inspiring people to get fit and healthy! I pursued my passion and earned my degree in Exercise Science, graduating in the top five of my class, while raising three sons, two with Attention Deficit Disorder, and working a management job in fitness. After I earned my degree, I then obtained my certification with the American College of Sports Medicine. And I just didn't obtain any ordinary certification, I earned the title of Health Fitness Specialist, a certification that requires you to have a four year degree in health. This is unlike a Personal Training certification that can be earned by anyone. So, what does this mean? This means that I take my client's health very seriously and differentiate myself with knowledge and experience. I have 20 years of experience as a fitness instructor, personal trainer and fitness director.
Now, my mission is to help the next generation. The American Heart Association says that if the plight of the American children continues on it's course of obesity and sedentary lifestyle, we could see this generation not living as long as their parents. This will be something we have not witnessed in decades.
So, what can we do to stop this? Well, we can get moving. Find ways to move your body. Not only will you feel better, but you will help cut down on health care costs and possibly inspire those around you. For too long, we have taken short cuts to make our life easier and yet, it's costing us our lives. For more information, visit The American Heart Association's website at americanheart.org