Since the American Heart Association was founded in 1924, deaths in the United States from cardiovascular disease have been cut in half 1 . June 10th commemorated the official founding of the Association, the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. After a century of saving lives with the American Heart Association, the metro Atlanta community is celebrating 100 years of collaboration as the organization looks to its second century of providing health and hope for everyone everywhere.

The American Heart Association has helped save and improve lives, launched scientific discovery and advocated for healthy public policies in communities across the nation. These bold moves have helped transform the nation’s health and significantly reduce heart disease and stroke death rates. View the historical timeline of the American Heart Association to see the accomplishments made since the Association’s founding such as spearheading groundbreaking research, innovation and advocacy to fight cardiovascular disease and pioneering life-saving interventions.

We realize that our work is not yet finished,” said Angelica Geter, Founder and Principal Consultant of Impactful Collaboration and American Heart Association Southeast board member. “The American Heart is encouraging every individual, company, school and community to unite in changing the future of health – not only for ourselves – but for our loved ones and the places we live, work and play. Today and every day, we can improve health and inspire hope for the future everyone deserves.” The achievements of the American Heart Association over the past century have already resulted in more than $5.7 billion invested in cardiovascular scientific research – the largest investment outside of the federal government – made possible by the passion of community- based volunteers, donors and employees.

“As we close out our first 100 years and begin the next, recent risk factor trends and projections
indicate our work remains even more important” said Marcus Brown, MD, interventional cardiologist and Metro Atlanta American Heart Association board president. “We know that we can’t achieve our bold goals alone and are grateful to the Atlanta community for the passion and commitment they give to support of the mission. At the American Heart Association, our future is about improving yours.”

Reaching the Association’s bold goals is made possible because of like-minded individuals and organizations who share in the vision of better health for Atlanta. Sixteen Atlanta area donors have pledged support of donations of time, talent and funds as Second Century campaign donors. The leading organizations and generous individuals include:

• Anthem

•  Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation

•  AT&T

•  CareSource

•  Comcast

•  Delta Air Lines

•  DragonCon

•  Emory Healthcare

•  Enduring Hearts

•  Genuine Parts Company

•  Koch Industries

•  The Love Family Foundation

•  Northside Hospital

•  Quest Diagnostics

•  SA White Oil Company

•  Southern Company

•  Wellstar Health System

The full list of Second Century donors can be viewed here.

In addition, Founders Day Circle donors have made bold commitments to three-year
sponsorships. One of our donors in metro Atlanta includes:

•  LocumTenens.com

To see the new short film, “24 – a short film from the Heart” and learn more about
accomplishments in the first 100 years of the American Heart Association or how to participate
in the Second Century campaign, visit heart.org/centennial or contact [email protected] for
more information.