Circle of Red Jean McSweeney, PhD UAMS
popular event, the 2021 Central Arkansas Go Red for Women Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association’s luncheon. Though it is usually a social event, this year it will (AHA) signature initiative; a platform focused on women and take place virtually at noon on Thursday, June 24. During the designed to increase awareness of women’s heart health while luncheon, survivors of heart disease will be recognized. These encouraging change to improve women’s lives. Taking on this survivors are generally approached by their physician about challenge requires a village, which is why Central Arkansas’ recognition at the event and typically not otherwise involved Circle of Red is vital to the mission. with AHA, although sometimes they are. The Circle of Red is a diverse group of individuals who have Survivors of heart disease come from all backgrounds and joined the Go Red for Women movement and work together to ages. One particular honoree at this year’s luncheon is as young as drive and influence change to improve the lives and heart health 4 years old. of women in their communities. “[The luncheon] brings to Becki Swindell is the light different types of heart corporate market director and diseases,” Swindell says. “It has been with AHA since brings to light the different 2020. She helps to recruit conditions that these survivors members and sees a variety of face and helps educate not only individuals who are drawn to our Circle of Red members, the organization. but the general public about “We have numerous different heart disease and risk physicians, we have stay-atfactors that go along with those.” home moms, we have CEOs The event will also feature of corporations — so it’s a wide two female speakers, one of range of people that are drawn which is a heart disease survivor to the organization. We like herself: Catherine Biggers, to bring in a lot of different who suffered a heart attack at ideas and a lot of different age 49 during the coronavirus people with the common core pandemic. of having an interest in heart The stories and information health,” Swindell says. “We that will be shared across the come together socially and share virtual stage have a tendency to ideas and the latest information help the women attending with regarding women and heart their, what member Gina Pharis disease and just join forces calls, “lightbulb moment.” with regard to Go Red to help Pharis, a Circle of Red empower women to take charge member, has been involved of their health.” Circle of Red with AHA for 10 years. With LaShannon Spencer The organization doesn’t just Community Health Centers of Arkansas a strong family history of heart start conversations, though. It Chair, Go Red for Women disease, including a mother also puts action behind them by who died from it, Pharis has a advocating for and funding new personal connection to the mission. research. “I started with my mother in mind and my husband in mind,” “We also recognize the fact that women are highly Pharis says. “Since I joined, my two brothers have had open-heart underrepresented in cardiovascular research, which is ironic since surgery. My dedication is still there, and it’s been there since I heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women,” she says. “So that is started on Day One.” another factor of Go Red, that we try to close the gender gap in One of her neighbors will be recognized at this year’s research.” luncheon. Swindell is also the brains behind the organization’s most
161
aymag.com
