The Mended Hearts has joined forces with eHealth Initiative! eHealth Initiative (eHI) has represents diverse stakeholders who are improving healthcare through the use of Health Information Technology (HIT). eHealth Initiative's mission is to drive improvement in the quality, safety, and efficiency of healthcare through information and technology.

Mended Hearts is one of the few patient groups represented in the eHealth Initiative family so there will be many opportunities for MHI members to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease and share their stories from the patient perspective through health IT channels.

Check out their website at: www.ehealthinitiative.org/

Since 2009, MLH has co-hosted CHD Lobby Day. Due to efforts at past Lobby Days and our advocacy the rest of the year, the Congenital Heart Futures Act was passed into law in 2010 and it was appropriated $2 million at the

end of 2011. For those involved in advocacy, you know, this is HUGE! Most laws take years to pass. Also, the first time we asked for money for the law was Lobby Day 2011. We have also gotten a CHD Caucus started in Congress, which is a group of Congress Members with an interest in CHD issues. This lobby day (February 29 reception, March 1 Lobby Day), we will thank Congress for supporting this bill, explain to them that the $2 million is a great start to what is needed, but for our kids to survive we need much more, and we will ask them to be a part of the CHD Caucus. We are co-hosting with the ACHA this year. ACC is the major lobby day sponsor. MLH will host the registration on our website, and anyone can attend. We hope to get doctors, patients and families together. Let's join in supporting and congratulating Mended Little Hearts on their success!

Reminder to all officers that only two more weeks remain to complete your chapter annual reports and email them to your Asst. Regional Director. If you need another copy of the Annual Report Forms they are available online in the officer area under "Submit Annual Reports" on the left hand navigation. If you have questions, please contact Marcia.Baker@mendedhearts.org or phone at 214.390.6233.

Reminder to all chapters that you can lend a helping hand in making our 60th Anniversary National Convention an even greater success when you take advantage of chapter opportunities.

As a chapter, you can:

• Purchase a chapter ad in the program book
• Participate as an exhibitor
• Donate items for Mended Little Hearts care packages
• Buy raffle tickets for an all expenses paid trip to Dallas

Encourage your chapter to help out today to make our convention bigger and better!

Click here for more details

At the regional level, gatherings of multiple chapters are held at scheduled intervals to train members and chapter officers as well as keep members up to date on the latest medical advances in heart disease. Cluster meetings are excellent opportunities to network for fellow Mended Hearts members, and share chapter best practices. Plan to attend the next cluster meeting nearest you. This schedule is updated continually as dates are made available.

January Cluster Meetings

January 14 -- Kissimmee, FL hosted by chapter #364

January 14 -- San Diego, CA hosted by chapter #62

$23 (Youth XS-L)

$26 (Adults S-XL)

Visitor Vest

$25 (S-3XL)

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