It’s an unfortunate fact. When it comes to life expectancy, the average person born in South Phoenix can expect to live 14 years fewer than the average person born in North Scottsdale. Lack of access to quality healthcare, housing, jobs and healthy food perpetuate health inequities throughout Maricopa County. The American Heart Association has developed a list of policy, system and environmental change opportunities to level the playing field. Its community impact priority issues are: • Blood pressure control • Food service delivery • Culturally relevant nutrition education • Tobacco control To learn more, visit heart.org . Heart Health in Maricopa County Garmany cites a recent study that found as much as a 14-year difference in life expectancy depending on where in the Valley someone lives. “Your ZIP code shouldn’t determine how long you live,” Garmany said. So she is making efforts to target messaging to children in order to change habits while they are young. “If you’re obese as a child, the likelihood of being obese your whole life is incredibly high,” Garmany said. “I need to drop a few pounds myself, but I look around this country, and obesity is rampant. There are so many things that obesity contributes to — heart disease, high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes. We need to communicate that.” Another way that she and Dana are connecting heart health and kids is by donating CPR kits to local high schools so Arizona students can learn this life-saving procedure. “I really want to make a lasting impact, not just a one-and- done,” Garmany said of her Heart Ball efforts this year. COVER STORY { by karen werner } Amanda and Dana are helping high school students prepare for emergency situations by supplying CPR kits. MAY/JUN 2022 | 40 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA

Hence her “Hope for the Future” platform. Not a bad message for a hometown girl who worked her way through college and is now in a position to give back to the community in a meaningful way. In fact, maybe her humble start makes her a little more in touch with her philanthropy. “I do think that I get it a little bit more than someone who grew up with more advantages,” Garmany said. “When I was in high school, I volunteered at a center out in Mesa called Paz de Cristo. They had a soup kitchen and a resource center where people could get food boxes or clothing. There were many times my mother’s students came through the line.” Garmany hasn’t forgotten her roots. She stays close to her family and is looking forward to returning to that Mesa classroom next year. But she also loves her life with Dana. “We spend a lot of time in France, particularly Antibes. We love it,” she said. “We also love good food, going to concerts and hanging out with our dogs.” It’s a lovely life filled with family, friends, travel and the joys of giving back. And when the stress of chairing the American Heart Association’s signature gala gets to be a little too much, you can find Garmany at her dining room table. “If I’m getting wound up and anxious, I’ll go play with my puzzle for a little bit. That’s my little stress reliever,” she said. The Garmanys in Santorini, Greece. iDripDuo Dehydration Hangovers Nausea Immune Boosting Headaches More Scan Me The Mobile IV Hydration & Nutrient Therapy 303-842-2068 Ask About Our Ask About Our Summer Hydration Summer Hydration Special! Special!