The American Heart Association (AHA) provides a variety of resources, educational materials, and opportunities for public involvement. These initiatives focus on heart health education, emergency preparedness, and community support. While the AHA is not a manufacturer of consumer product samples, it offers valuable materials for health education and hosts events that encourage community participation. The available resources include downloadable educational content, opportunities to purchase health-related merchandise, and structured philanthropic programs for major donors.
Educational Materials and Health Fair Resources
The American Heart Association offers brochures, merchandise, and downloadable materials designed for distribution at health fairs and educational events. These resources are intended for use by non-profit organizations, medical institutions, and educational institutions.
Eligibility and Usage Requirements To access and use AHA educational materials, institutions must agree to specific terms. The materials may be used, printed, or downloaded only if the user is a non-profit organization, medical institution (including hospitals and healthcare professionals), or educational institution. The materials must be distributed at no charge in hard copy form at a local health fair or educational event, or used internally to educate staff.
Restrictions on Use When using AHA materials, institutions must adhere to several restrictions: - Institutions cannot print their own logos on the materials. - A "stick-on" label with the institution's contact information (name, phone number, address) may be added to the pages. - Users must acknowledge AHA's ownership of the copyright, title, trademarks, and all other related rights. - No portion of the materials may be reused for other purposes, including embedded images, without express permission. - Permission to reproduce the material cannot be assigned or granted to any third party. - The materials cannot be deleted, altered, or changed. - AHA materials cannot be stored or posted on intranets or websites; the AHA's Linking Policy must be followed for linking to materials.
Available Formats and Topics The AHA provides specific fact sheets and infographics formatted as question-and-answer documents. These include: - Answers by Heart Information Sheets: These cover topics such as preventing heart attacks, quitting smoking, managing blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, and exercise. They are designed to help people prepare for visits with healthcare professionals. - Let's Talk About Stroke Information Sheets: Created by the American Stroke Association, these provide similar Q&A format information regarding stroke.
Purchasing Merchandise For physical items like cookbooks, t-shirts, water bottles, and other health-related gifts or prizes, the AHA directs organizations to shopheart.org. Proceeds from these purchases benefit the American Heart Association.
Cor Vitae Philanthropic Program
The American Heart Association's premiere philanthropic group is Cor Vitae, which translates to "Heart of Life." This program is for individuals who demonstrate a significant commitment to building healthier lives through substantial financial contributions.
Membership Eligibility Individuals who contribute $5,000 or more between January 1 and December 31 are recognized as Cor Vitae members. Membership provides access to unique opportunities to learn about the mission, core programs, and the impact of gifts.
Membership Benefits Cor Vitae members receive a variety of benefits, which include: - A signature Cor Vitae lapel pin. - Invitations to exclusive events and activities. - Personalized updates from Nancy Brown, CEO, and other AHA leadership. - Recognition in the American Heart Association Honor Roll of Donors. - Access to VIP receptions at key events. - Invitations to local, regional, and national American Heart Association events. - A CPR Anytime training kit. - Special insider communications via a Quarterly Newsletter. - Private briefings from Association leadership on key strategic issues and accomplishments. - Specialized access, information, and updates tailored to specific mission interests.
Recognition Levels The Cor Vitae program utilizes a tiered recognition structure based on annual contribution levels: - Patron: $5,000 – $9,999 - Champion: $10,000 – $24,999 - Silver: $25,000 - $49,999 - Gold: $50,000 - $99,999 - Platinum: $100,000+
For additional information regarding the Cor Vitae program, the AHA provides contact information for Shari Holdman at 918-877-8365 or [email protected].
Community Events and Volunteer Opportunities
The American Heart Association relies heavily on community events and volunteers to fund research and support its mission. Events are described as the "lifeblood" of the organization, allowing the AHA to fund pioneering research and improve the well-being of neighbors.
Types of Events The AHA hosts various events across the nation. Examples of upcoming events listed in the data include: - National Wear Red Day: Celebrated on Friday, February 6, 2026. This event encourages people to wear red to support Go Red for Women and raise awareness that cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women. - Go Red for Women Luncheons: Local events such as the Greater Bay Area Go Red for Women (Feb. 27, 2026) and the Central Valley Go Red for Women Luncheon (April 16, 2026). - Heart Ball: Events like the Sacramento Heart Ball (March 6, 2026). - Heart Walk: The AHA's premier event for raising funds to save lives from heart disease and stroke. - CycleNation: An event focused on energizing the nation to get brain and heart healthy through cycling.
Volunteer and Support Roles The AHA offers several ways for individuals to get involved: - Volunteer Opportunities: Individuals can help create a healthier world free of heart disease and stroke. - Support Network Community: An online community for patients, survivors, and caregivers to join. - CPR and ECC Training: The AHA emphasizes the importance of being prepared for emergencies by learning CPR. Immediate CPR can double or triple a person's chances of survival during a cardiac arrest.
Health Tools and Professional Engagement
The AHA provides tools for personal health management and opportunities for professional engagement.
My Life Check: Health Score The "My Life Check" tool offers a free Heart Health Score and personalized tips. This tool is designed to help individuals take charge of their well-being by providing advice on moving more, eating smarter, and stressing less. It encourages users to find their starting point for better heart health.
Professional Membership For healthcare professionals, the AHA offers professional membership opportunities to build careers and make an impact.
Funding and Research Commitment
The American Heart Association asserts its position as the largest non-profit, non-governmental funder of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular research. Since 1949, the AHA has invested more than $3.3 billion in research across the country. The organization funds more cardiovascular research than any U.S. organization outside of the government.
The AHA also highlights its high blood pressure quality care initiative, which ensures lifesaving care for people at risk for heart disease.
Conclusion
The American Heart Association offers a range of resources rather than traditional consumer freebies or product samples. The primary "free" resources are educational materials available to qualified institutions for health fairs and events. For individuals, the AHA provides free health assessment tools like My Life Check and access to community support networks. Significant opportunities for engagement exist through volunteering, participating in fundraising events like the Heart Walk, and through the Cor Vitae philanthropic program for major donors. All physical merchandise and branded items are available for purchase through shopheart.org, with proceeds supporting the AHA's mission.