DELAWARE – The continuum of care is essential in reengaging patients back to a “pre-event” life after a heart attack or stroke. To streamline these efforts, the American Heart Association created MISSION: LIFELINE, ® a national initiative to advance the System of Care for patients with acute, high-risk, time sensitive life or quality of life-threatening diseases. The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline is focused on supporting hospitals, EMS agencies, regions and communities while forming and enhancing collaborative Systems of Care in effort to reduce mortality and morbidity for patients. The American Heart Association in Delaware is proud to announce a gift of $300,000 by Delawareans Thom Harvey and Robin Adair Harvey to further support the Mission Lifeline work in the state. Harvey serves as the Chairman and CEO of the real estate development and hospitality firm Harvey, Hanna & Associates in Newport, DE. Research supported by Mission Lifeline aims to increase patient survival and recovery rates by focusing on:

• Reduction of time from symptom onset to acute stroke treatment
• Reduction of time from EMS first medical contact to thrombolytic therapy
• Reduction of door in/ door out times at first facility for patients transferred for endovascular treatment
• Increased number of patients receiving a pre-hospital stroke severity scale
• Increased % of stroke patients arriving by EMS with a pre-hospital activation and from post stroke care facilities

While stroke is the #5 cause of death in the United States, it is #4 in Delaware, underscoring the significance and importance of this program and gift. Additionally, stroke is the number one cause of disability in our State and in the nation. With this data, the state will be able to see trends and work collaboratively to improve processes that will ultimately help patients survive and maintain quality of life. “We want to do our part to help improve all aspects of stroke prevention, diagnosis and treatment here in Delaware,” said Harvey in a statement. “This is the beginning of Robin’s and my commitment to use our best efforts to help fix this. We see a problem that has affected our lives and the lives of those we love. We want to help and hopefully be a catalyst for improvement and call upon Delaware community leaders to stand with us. In partnership with the American Heart Association, Delaware leaders and philanthropists can have the opportunity to invest in the future health of our community. Delaware and Delaware business leaders have an opportunity to invest in the marketplaces where they work and make our community safer and healthier for us, our families, our employees, associates and our customers. With this investment in our futures, together we will save lives and improve the quality of life here in Delaware.”