AHA Club Takes on America's #1 Cause of Death
Co-leaders Ani Kuke and Chery Abdelmassih plan club activities together. Photo: Ani Kuke and Chery Abdelmassih
By ADEEBA MAHMOOD and KALIYAH KING
Did you know that heart disease is the #1 cause of death in America? Many of us have a family member who has suffered from a stroke, heart attack, or other coronary issue. The American Heart Association Club, one of the few new clubs to open up this year, hopes to take a step forward to putting an end to these tragedies.
Founded in 1924, The American Heart Association (AHA) is a nonprofit that strives to save lives by educating people on healthy living and funding cardiovascular medical research. The organization’s impact has inspired many to follow in its footsteps, including the two juniors who founded the AHA club, Chery Abdelmassih and Ani Kuke.
The AHA club aims to promote a healthy lifestyle for its members along with educating them about the AHA and various types of heart disease, the leaders said. They also teach CPR lessons and similar practices.
“If we start learning about [healthy habits] young, it’s even better,” said Abdelmassih. “That’s why I thought it was so important to incorporate this into high school.”
Kuke said, “The AHA encourages students from elementary school to middle school to high school with different challenges that even I engaged in when I was a kid. I didn’t even know how significant it was, but I loved it. They were making an impact before I even knew it.”
“The Covid-19 pandemic has definitely been a wake-up call for many people when it comes to health,” said Club Ambassador Mohammed Sinhah. “Tons of people probably searched up heart problems related to Covid. I’m certain that the pandemic will definitely make students more inclined to join our club.”
Kuke and Abdelmassih were also motivated by the fact that they both have family members who suffer from cardiovascular diseases, and they’re considering careers in cardiology when they’re older. With assistance from the New York City youth market director of the American Heart Association, Chelsea Guild, they collaborate on ideas that will engage their audience.
A typical meeting starts off with a genuine wellness check before moving on to the specific topic to be discussed. A recent meeting focused on strokes: what they are and how they can be prevented.
“If someone has a stroke and they have to be sent to the hospital,” Abdelmassih said. “their chances of living are much less than if someone is about to have a stroke and you can help them right there.”
The club also began sign-ups for a fundraising event in June called “Rugged Maniac,” an obstacle course that will take place at Aviators Sports and Events Center in Brooklyn. Entrants will compete against each other in a series of challenges.
“We saw so many of our members incorporate several of their friends who aren’t even in the club,” said Abdelmassih. “Putting in the effort of reaching out and getting people to come along with them just shows how dedicated they are. It demonstrates that this is something so important that it’s not only worth their time, but their friends’ time as well.”
In the first few months that the club has been active, they have already hosted a “virtual walk” where members took a stroll on their own time and posted their progress under the hashtag #MidwoodRunsOnAHA on Instagram.
It’s been a particularly sedentary year due to online school, remote work, and lockdowns. Heart disease rose in 2020, leading to twice as many deaths as Covid-19 itself. So one of AHA’s main goals is encouraging mobility, activity, and exercise.
“I'm glad I participated in the club because now I'm much more conscious of my daily steps,” said English teacher and Club Advisor Mr. Ryan Munroe. “I'm constantly checking my Pedometer++ app. Hopefully, others are now more aware of their activity level as well and are pushing themselves to be more physically active.”
Hosting a club online is definitely not easy, but with a bit of determination and encouragement, it’s possible. The AHA Club’s first meeting in March felt “natural,” Kuke said.
“We’re still combating one of the most difficult challenges as leaders,” she added. “It’s really just trying to promote this club, make sure that we have our members engaged, and have other people join, too. We want everyone to be happy and actually want to be here.”
“The enthusiasm of our club presidents, Ani and Chery, always brings me back,” Activity Coordinator Karen Jiang said. “The lessons and discussions that the club provides, along with information on future events, definitely motivate me to keep joining the meetings.”
“People don't really realize how much work goes into creating and maintaining a club,” said Club Ambassador JohnCarlos Merced. “I've seen them put weeks and even months into a single meeting because they want to ensure that people grasp the importance of the club's message.”
Activity Coordinator Deborah Zeleny added, “The environment Chery, Ani, and Mr. Munroe have created has a very big sense of family.”
Interested in joining the AHA Club? Check out their Instagram account (@midwood.aha) for their Google Classroom code, plus information and updates about the club and its upcoming events and campaigns.