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Join the Lifesaving Circle.

Dear Sherry,
My name is Gloria Ferguson, and I'm writing to say thank you for saving my life.
Let me explain.
Last July, my son and I were on a Boy Scout bicycling trip in Crater Lake National
Park in Oregon when I started feeling pressure in my chest. Even as the pain became
severe, I told myself it was just altitude sickness.
Thank goodness the Boy Scout leaders were trained to recognize and respond to
cardiac issues. They were driving me to the park entrance to get help when my heart
stopped.
Without a doubt my survival began with a gift from someone like you. Even with
a small monthly donation to the American Heart Association, you can help millions of
Americans survive and live free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
That's not the end of the story.
I was having a severe heart attack caused by a totally blocked coronary artery. It's
known as a ST-elevation myocardial infarction or STEMI. It took three shocks with the
park's automated external defibrillator (AED) to get my pulse back. I was then taken
by helicopter to the regional medical center.
Again, fate intervened. The lead cardiologist at that hospital works with the American
Heart Association on "Mission: Lifeline," a nationwide effort to improve the care of

STEMI patients.
I left the hospital 12 days later. I'm still in awe that so many people worked so
hard to save my life.
You, too, can be part of this extraordinary story when you become a monthly donor of
the American Heart Association.
I am alive today because of the training and education provided by the American
Heart Association. I urge you to give them your support today.
Thank you for your compassion.
My warmest wishes to you,
Gloria Ferguson
P.S. The American Heart Association calls the coordinated series of actions that
saved my life the Chain of Survival. This refers to everything from the Boy Scout
leaders all the way to the hospital. That chain really begins with you so make it
strong! Please take the next step and become a monthly donor today!

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