Colleagues,
HeartPAC’s 2026 March Mayhem Challenge is underway, and this is a great opportunity for our chapter to show up strong. Over the next several weeks, chapters across the country will compete based on member participation — and every contribution makes a difference.
I encourage you to get involved, support HeartPAC, and help us climb the bracket. In addition to advancing advocacy for our profession and patients, participation also unlocks access to special events and opportunities.
Let’s make a strong showing together.
Thank you for your support,
Pascha Schafer
HeartPAC is excited to announce that the 2026 HeartPAC March Mayhem Challenge has officially begun! Over the next six weeks, Chapters will compete with one another to see who can get the most members to support HeartPAC! The winner will take home the title of 2026 March Mayhem Champion, along with other special prizes. Check out the official announcement here:
How will this work?
- All 48 ACC Chapters will be organized into four “size conferences” – Small, Medium, Medium-Large and Large.
- The challenge will begin at ACC.26 when we set the bracket. The top 8 chapters from each conference with the highest percent participation rates as of 5 PM on Sunday, March 29, will make the tournament. So, get your Chapter going now!
- Rounds will continue over the next three weeks – Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, Final Four. Each round will last one week and Chapters will compete against one another in the bracket based on new members gained during that week. Of the Final Four, the Chapter with the most improvement in participation rate during the tournament will win.
What are the prizes?
Chapters who make it to the Final Four will receive scholarships for FIT members of their chapters to attend ACC’s Legislative Conference taking place in Washington, D.C. Oct. 4-6, 2026.
The Chapter that wins the Finals will receive a March Mayhem champion trophy and a unique opportunity for a young professional member from their Chapter to visit Washington, D.C. This visit, which is separate from the Legislative Conference, will offer a firsthand look at day-to-day advocacy efforts in D.C. The participant will attend meetings on Capitol Hill, events, and more, alongside the ACC Advocacy team.
Important note: Contributions received prior to the beginning of ACC.26 will be counted toward the first round.
Now’s the perfect time to contribute to gain access to exclusive HeartPAC events while onsite in New Orleans – check them out below!
Annual HeartPAC Reception
Sunday, March 29 | 5 – 8 PM CT
Jolie, 324 Julia St, New Orleans, LA
*Open to ACC members who have contributed to HeartPAC in 2026
Please RSVP to Anjana Parashar at aparashar@acc.org
HeartPAC Donor Lounge
Saturday, March 28 – Monday, March 30 | 7 AM – 5 PM CT
Lounge & Learn Pavilion, Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Serving breakfast, lunch and snacks daily!
*Open to $250+ 2026 contributors ($25 for Students/Residents/FITs; $50 for CV Team/Chapter Executives)
Join the challenge and secure your spot in the lounge by making a contribution today! We look forward to seeing all of you soon.
Safe travels,
Pascha E. Schafer MD, FACC
Chair, HeartPAC
Andrew R. Waxler, MD, FACC
Vice-Chair, HeartPAC
Contributions to ACC HeartPAC are completely separate from ACC member dues. Contributions to HeartPAC will be used in connection with federal elections and are subject to the prohibitions and limitations of the Federal Election Campaign Act. HeartPAC is a Political Action Committee established and operating pursuant to the Federal Election Campaign Act. The decision to contribute is voluntary, and refusal to contribute can be made without reprisal. Contributions to ACC Political Action Committee are not tax deductible.