American Heart Association celebrates 100 years

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Monday marked 100 years since the American Heart Association was founded. It is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke.

NEWS10 has the story of one couple who turned to the American Heart Association after making a devasting discovery.

Jerry and Vera Whitman have been married for nearly 50 years and have had an active lifestyle.  However, about 20 years ago, Vera needed open heart surgery for an aortic valve replacement. She would later learn she had a serious condition that she and her family didn’t know.

"And apparently, I had Rheumatic fever as a young child. And when I was little, you know, we didn't go to the doctors very often and had wonderful parents," she recounted. "You know, certainly anything we could have done, they would have done."

After working with a cardiologist and continuing to have success in surgery, Vera attributes her health today to both her husband, Jerry, who stuck by her side and the American Heart Association that gave her the resources and family-like relationships to keep moving forward.

"If it wasn't for their help through research and donations so on and so forth with the medical profession, if I were here today, I wouldn't be doing anywhere near what I am able to." Vera said. "So I am extremely grateful for the heart association."

The American Heart Association was started in 1924 during a time of heighted curiosity for heart research following World War I. In that 100 years, the association has raised $5.7 billion for cardiovascular research, which has gone to helping those like Vera.

Even through their efforts, heart disease is still the number one killer of Americans. Kathy Mcarthy, Senior Director of Communications for the American Heart Association, said the reason for that is something they have no control over -- lifestyle.

"But the good news is that with prevention, a proper lifestyle, exercise and good health choices, we can reduce it, but that's exactly what the heart association is about," McCarthy said. "All of our research, our studies, we are trying to find out why, and we do know lifestyle is a lot of it."

Several survivors stay connected with the association like Vera and Jerry, who are now volunteers, bringing them great joy by helping anyone facing heart conditions.

"Just being able to share and get to know so many people that we don't normally know that come back year after year is really what that's for," Vera said.

Vera would later need three more surgeries and is living proof, prevention and research could help save a life.