fm area women unite to fight their #1 killer at

Every 80 seconds A WOMAN DIES OF heart disease or stroke. That’s more than 1,000 women every day.

While that statistic is staggering to consider, there is hope: 80 percent of heart disease and stroke is preventable with simple lifestyle changes. That’s the message of hope that will be shared at the Fargo Go Red For Women Luncheon on February 15.

Now in its second year, the luncheon features inspirational speakers, survivor stories, vendor booths, and uplifting time with women dedicated to eradicating their number one killer. The event will also feature an empowering message from keynote speaker Holly Hoffman. You may remember Hoffman as the last remaining member of the Espada Tribe and the last woman standing on season 21 of the CBS hit reality show “Survivor Nicaragua.” Hoffman’s experience inspired her to share her message of positivity, determination and confidence with women to help motivate them to take control of their heart health.

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending,” Hoffman says.

Hoffman acknowledges that life is made up of challenges, and we are oftentimes faced with situations that seem insurmountable. But she explains that within each of us is an ability to focus our thoughts, emotions and energy to succeed — if only we have the knowledge, tools and discipline to do so.

“Adversity is not so much contending with problems as it is learning more about who you really are and what is inside of you,” she says. “Challenges may allow us to step out of our comfort zone and push ourselves above and beyond our own self-limitations. It is how we choose to overcome challenges that make us who we are.”

Hoffman encourages women to think about how they decide to “survive” on a daily basis, and she will offer women the tools she’s found useful for helping to overcome fear and uncertainty and finding strength in times of difficulty.

Go Red For Women was created in 2004 by the American Heart Association to address a challenge: Cardiovascular disease claimed the lives of nearly 500,000 American women each year, yet women were not paying attention. In fact, many even dismissed it as an older man’s disease. To dispel the myths and raise awareness of heart disease and stroke as the number one killer of women, the American Heart Association created Go Red For Women, a passionate, emotional, social initiative designed to empower women to take charge of their heart health.

Go Red For Women encourages awareness of the issue of women and heart disease, and also action to save more lives. The movement harnesses the energy, passion and power women have to band together and collectively wipe out heart disease. It challenges them to know their risk for heart disease and take action to reduce their personal risk. It also gives them the tools they need to lead a heart healthy life.

The Go Red For Women Luncheon will be held at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Fargo on February 15. The event begins at 11 a.m. with a social hour, vendor booths and silent auction. The luncheon and program will begin at 12:15 p.m. and the event will conclude at 1:30 p.m. Go Red For Women is sponsored nationally by Macy’s and CVS Health and is sponsored locally by Essentia Health, North Dakota Soybean Council, Family Fare, KVRR TV, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, and Midwest Communications.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on the Fargo Go Red For Women Luncheon or to purchase tickets, visit heart.org/fargogored.

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