April e-News
Working together to improve the diagnosis, treatment and
quality of life for all those affected by arrhythmias
We Are Still Here For You
Message from the CEO

We very much hope you are staying safe and, if possible, staying home during this difficult time. We understand how challenging it is for everyone. However, when you have health issues such as an arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation or syncope, it can be even more challenging. This is why we are committed to ensuring you have access to and receive the most up to date information and support you and your loved ones may need. We are monitoring the latest government health updates and regularly updating our dedicated coronavirus web pages as new guidance is issued. For more, click here
 
Patients with any type of arrhythmia are at the heart of everything we do and we are determined to continue to be here for you. The team are all working remotely from home as per government guidelines and to ensure that we to help reduce the spread of coronavirus. We very much hope you are doing the same – it is so important.
 
With so much difficult news, we would also like to bring a smile to all of you – therefore we are sharing photos of us all working from home using #IStayAtHomeFor . It would be wonderful if you too could share your photos and help us to bring smiles to many more people. We may feel isolated however we can reach out to others. We are all in this together and together we are here for YOU.
 
Although our offices are closed, we are still working and available for contact. Please call or e-mail us at:

843-415-1886
info-us@heartrhythmalliance.org


As a non-profit we rely on donations and funding to continue our life-saving work. We understand that everyone is facing financial difficulties during this difficult time, but any donation, no matter how small, will make a big difference. To donate today, click here
The most important thing is to Stay Home and Stay Safe.
 
Best wishes and stay healthy,
Trudie

Trudie Lobban, MBE FRCP
Founder & CEO

Have you had an appointment cancelled or surgery postponed?
Are you waiting for an EKG? Do you have a pacemaker or ICD?

We are working to ensure that you have the support that you need. Since many people will be switching to Remote Monitoring rather than visiting the cardiac clinic for check-ups, we would like to remind patients that we are here to provide emotional support, information and assistance with your manufacturer. For additional information and resources, see below:
 
To download our "Remote Monitoring" booklet, click here
To download our "Which EKG is Right For You" booklet, click here
Coronavirus Updates

With coronavirus (COVID-19) being the topic of every conversation, calls to our Arrhythmia Alliance, AF Association and STARS patient support line have more than tripled from worried patients and caregivers. To help you understand what is happening, we have developed a webpage where you will find everything you need including videos from specialists, resources, and links to up to date information. For more, click here 
The Community Corner

EAT SMART, LOVE YOUR HEART

Arrhythmia Alliance takes great pride in working with community partners that put patients first. We are thankful to have had a table at the Island Regional Healthcare Lunch: Eat Smart, Love Your Heart at Poseidon on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 where we displayed our resources, distributed resource packs to attendees and conducted 40 FREE pulse checks. For more of our partnerships, click here
COLLETON RIVER CLUB HEALTH FAIR
We are so grateful to the Colleton River Club for allowing Arrhythmia Alliance to share our resources and conduct pulse checks at their health fair. We had the opportunity to display our information and hand out resource packs to the attendees. We conducted 43 pulse checks, distributed more than 240 resources and provided information, education and awareness of arrhythmias through our Know Your Pulse Program. For more, click here
Remembering Rio
Very sadly Rio, the STARS fundraising horse, has moved to pastures in the sky.
Her memory will live on and continue to raise much needed funds for STARS.

Sally Hamilton-French, owner of Fresh Field Equine Retirement Farm has been looking after Rio, for more than ten years. Sally works tirelessly to care for all of the animals while providing a safe, fun and educational site for locals and visitors to explore, interact with the live-stock, learn about habitats and nature and enjoy a hands-on experience with the ever-expanding family of animals. From micro pigs to horses, birds of prey to meerkats, all needs and interests are catered for.

Fresh Fields and STARS have worked closely together for many years, Sally previously hosted an open day, with Rio as ‘star’ attraction, and generously donated the money raised to STARS to help those suffering with Syncope, PoTS, and other heart rhythm disorders. The donations we received from Fresh Fields have enabled us to continue to provide our services, information, education, awareness and support to help our members and their families, to better manage and understand their condition. Read more
Fundraising
Never Lose Heart: The Charles Lobban AED Fundraiser
 
To remember Charles Lobban on the 12th anniversary of his passing, and as part of the Arrhythmia Alliance – Defibs Save Lives Campaign, we are launching the Charles Lobban AED initiative as a key way to declare our local community HeartSafe. Your donation could help us place much needed AED's in the community.

To support this fundraiser, click here 
New Fundraising Idea: "Calls For a Cause"

Interested in a fun new way to raise money?

Rachel, from our UK patient services team, previously planned to go out with her friends over the weekend before the COVID-19 guidelines came into place. So, instead of going out, she had a much needed catch up call online with her friends who all had drinks from the comfort of their own homes.
 
 Why not do the same, and donate what you would have spent on a night out to us? Join us in "Calls For a Cause", click here
Patient Information
Telehealth Expansion

Beginning March 6, 2020, Medicare will pay for office, hospital, and other visits provided via telehealth, including in patients' homes. Additionally, the HIPAA Security Requirement of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will exercise its enforcement discretion, allowing the use of platforms such as Google Hangout and Zoom to connect with patients. Read More
Patient Support Programs

Have you recently lost your job? Losing your job does not mean you have to lose your medication.
 
Bristol Myers Squibb is providing medications to those affected by COVID-19 at no cost. Contact them today to check eligibility and medication coverage at 1-800-721-8909 or visit one.bms.com/2UNZitu . For more, click here
 
#LoveYourHeart #PatientSupport
Save The Date



World Heart Rhythm Week 2020
Monday 1 st - Sunday 7 th June

Global AF Aware Week 2020
Monday 16 th - Sunday 22 nd November


CONNECT WITH US
STARS
Arrhythmia Alliance
AF Association