Representatives of about 170 research organizations will meet with House and Senate offices in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to urge Congress to invest in the National Institutes of Health for the health and economic security of our nation. The event is called a Rally for Medical Research Hill Day, and the American Heart Association is proud to be involved.

Research has long been a major priority of the American Heart Association. Our organization has invested upwards of $3.5 billion into research, more than any organization outside the federal government. Decade after decade, we have seen how research provides answers where none were available.

American Heart Association President Mariell Jessup, M.D., who will be among the volunteers in Washington, D.C., details how the AHA advocates for further research  in the latest Huffington Post column from American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown.