Our Delaware Valley Podcast

Dr Deon Vigilance, Cardiac Surgeon and President of the Board for the Greater Delaware Valley American Heart Association and Association VP for Community Impact, Cardiac Nurse Jeff Salvatore discussed hypertension and stroke.  The American Heart and Stroke Association recognizes May 17th as World Hypertension Day to spark conversation and sharing of infomation to reduce the impact of high blood pressure.  We discussed their programs seeking more equitable outcomes by getting more screening and information into communities, working with local health organizations and faith-based groups to bring better heart health care to underserved areas.  For more information on how to reduce your risks, for classes or to volunteer go to Heart.org or Stroke.org

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A discussion on Multiple Sclerosis with the National M.S. Society and guests Kevin Moffitt, President of the Greater Delaware Valley chapter, Board Member and Committee Director of WAMS  (Women Against MS) Bianca Fraser-Johnson,  and Molly Giordano, Executive Director of the Delaware Art Museum, who is living with the disease.  Included in the conversation, details on Sips, Savories & Sculptures, May 20 at the Delaware Art Museum, an evening of art, music, food and wine to benefit their work.

Gt details at NationalMSSociety.org

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Catherine Charlton, Executive Director of Musicopia and dancing Classrooms Philly discussed their vision, to let the power of the Arts transform the lives of all children and youth.  She described the benefits, children learn self-discipline as well as self-expression through their classes, they learn teamwork and mutual respect, and global awareness.   Begun on 1974 by a woman’s string quartette,     Musicopia’s programming is now offered through nine schools districts, reaching over 100 schools with over 150 professionals teaching students from kindergarten through high school.  Programming includes all instruments and genres, often reflecting the community.   Students can progress through training to performing with their all-school String Orchestra or Drumlines.  Programming also includes ‘We the People’ where student write and rap and perform as they learn about government and their new ‘Lull-a-bye’ project in conjunction with Carnegie Hall allowing parents to create and share a recorded lull-a-bye that can reflect their family’s language or cultural heritage.  We also discussed their instrument program, Musicopia accepts donates of instruments which they refurbish and distribute to students.    

For more information, visit MUSICOPIA.net

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Corinne O’Connell, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia discussed their vision, a city where everyone has a decent place to live.  She noted one in four families is facing housing issues, paying too much of their income toward rent, and while Philadelphia has a larger percentage of homeowners than many major cities, our housing stock is old and much is in disrepair.  We discussed how homes are lost for lack of funds for maintenance, robbing the family of the home’s value.  Ms O’Connell spoke of Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia programming, building or rehabbing homes to sell to qualifying families for an affordable price and a zero-interest 30-year mortgage and no-cost repairs to neighboring homes.  We also discussed their work to repair title – thousands of homes in the city have a tangled title. Ms O’Connell pointed out the benefits of their programs, children do better in school with secure housing – asthma is a leading cause of missed school days – and families can use their home to build wealth, assets that can be passed on.  She described the other benefits, stable neighbors invested in their community and lowered crime rates in areas getting repairs.

She touched on the requirements for future owners and how they work with them to repair credit scores and budget, as well as teaching home maintenance.  Owners put sweat equity into their homes, wither I classes or in actual building. 

Habitat For Humanity Philadelphia completed its 1,000 home milestone in November of ’22, they will finish their next 1,000 within five years, a goal Ms O’Connell says will be accomplished with help form all of us, as volunteers and donors.   Finally, we discussed their ReStore, a discount home improvement store on Washington Avenue, which sells donated new and gently used building materials, appliances and furnishings.  Not only does it keep usable goods from landfills, its revenue funds their projects throughout the year.  They will soon open their second store on Allegheny Avenue.   She invites us to shop, donate and volunteer at both locations.

Learan more at HabitatPhiladelphia.org

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Martha Lucy, Deputy Director for Research, Interpretation and Education at The Barnes Foundation, discussed the world-renowned museum as it enters its 101st year.  We talked about it founder, Albert Barnes, who used the fortune he made through his patented medicine to create one of the greatest collections of art.   We also discussed Barnes’ commitment to artists of color and women, and his practice of diverse hiring, at his factory and in his museum.  We also discussed the current exhibit, Sue Williamson & Lebohang Kganye: Tell Me What You Remember, as women artists – one white octogenarian, one Black and young, exploring Apartheid in their native South African.   For more information go to BarnesFoundation.org

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Kevin Burns, Executive Director of Action Wellness and Robb Reichard, Executive Director of AIDS Fund Philly discussed Kevin's long career as he approaches his retirement.  He spoke of his start, as a volunteer with a grassroots Action AIDS, supporting and caring for people dying of AIDS, through today, with the renamed Action Wellness, supporting people who are living with HIV.  He discussed the growth of the agency, to encompass everything from HIV testing, to maternity care and support for those living with chronic illness not associated with their HIV.  He and Robb spoke of the support they receive from AIDSFund Philly, funding that helps with direct patient care for expenses such as rent, bus tickets, co-pays or appliance repairs. We talked about the changing in care from a death sentence to prevention and therapies that can make the virus undetectable.  We also discussed uptick in diagnosis, especially within communities of color, and the need for more education and awareness about PREP for prevention and new treatments. 
Finally, we discussed the annual AIDS Walk Philly and the upcoming black-tie Gay BINGO Gala March 25th where Kevin will honored with the Fierce and Fabulous Award for his work over the past 34 years.  
For more information visit actionwellness.org or AIDSFundPhilly.org.  

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The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Eastern PA-Delaware Region Patient & Community Outreach Manager Ruby Nava-Ramos, MPH, and Nick McIlwain from our sister station WMMR's morning show, discussed the research, educatiuon and vital direct services offered by the group, for patients, caregivers and families and its major fundraiser, Big Climb Philly.

For more information about their services go to LLS.org.  Click HERE to learn more, register or support a team or individual at the May 14th Big Climb Philly.

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Cardiologist Dr. Kaitlyn Ibrahim and Natalie Havens, a mezzo-soprano and heart disease survivor discussed women’s heart health on behalf of the American Heart Association. We talked about sobering facts, cardiovascular disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined; less than 50% of women entering pregnancy in the United States have good heart health and it accounts for over on-third of maternal deaths and Black women have some of the highest maternal mortality rates AND women are less likely to be diagnosed with a heart condition or receive life-saving intervention in cases of sudden cardiac arrest.   Dr Ibrahim noted women are at greater risk not just in pregnancy, but also at menopaus due to hormonal changes.   We discussed the efforts made by the American Heart Association to raise awareness and better heart health habits for women through STEM programs for girls and the Go Red For Women campaigns to teach women the warning signs of cardiovascular disease.  To learn more about programming and events such as the upcoming Heart Balls, as well diet and lifestyle tips for better heart health go to Heart.org

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Associate Curator Matthew Skic discussed their current exhibition, ‘Black Founders: The Forten Family at The Museum of the American Revolution.’   Running through November of 2023, it presents a collection of over 100 objects passed down through the family of James Forten (1766-1842) who was born free in Philadelphia and who heard the words of the Declaration of Independence read aloud for the first time on July 8, 1776.  Joining a privateer ship at the age of 14 to fight for American independence he was captured and held captive on a prison ship for seven months before being freed during a prisoner exchange. He later became a successful business owner, philanthropist, and abolitionist.  We discussed the influence of Forten and his friendship with some of the greatest names in the movement and his unique position as a Black businessmen man in Philadelphia.  Mathew also spoke of the school programs, lectures and panels that will be offered during the exhibit.   For more information go to AmRevMuseum.org

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