Go Red
th
ANNIVERSARY
for women's heart health
Learn More
Heart.org/MinnesotaGoRed
Why do you GO RED?
SARAH BURKITT
JEN THORSON
LISA MATRE
Woman of Impact Nominee
Woman of Impact Nominee
Woman of Impact Nominee
“I'm raising awareness for heart and brain health because it could happen to anyone. As a stroke survivor, I know you have to advocate for your health. I was just 26 years old when my life changed forever.”
“As a heart attack survivor, I am an advocate for women's heart health and have been involved with Go Red for many years. Too many women do not know about their greatest health risk. Women deserve to be empowered with knowledge and receive the best care possible.”
“I have experienced the loss of both of my parents and my father-in-law to heart disease. My son was born with heart disease and will need care for his entire life. Let's work to honor the memory of those we've lost and work towards a future where heart disease no longer claims lives far too soon."
I GO RED for women.
I GO RED for my family.
Cottage Grove
I GO RED for stroke survivors.
St. Paul
2 March 2024 AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, TWIN CITIES
Minneapolis
For more information visit WWW.HEART.ORG/MINNESOTAGORED
Minnesota Women unite
for a world of longer, healthier lives.
LAURA SKADSBERG
JASMINE BRETT STINGER
JAIMIE MATTSON
Woman of Impact Nominee
Woman of Impact Nominee
Go Red for Women Chair
“We all know someone who has been affected by cardiovascular disease. During my career at Medtronic, the mission to alleviate pain, restore health and extend life has become engrained in my beliefs. This drives me to help fund lifesaving research and promote the well-being of all women.”
"The statistics surrounding women, especially Black women, and heart disease are not just shocking — they are alarming. As a Black woman who is part of the 58% with high blood pressure, I understand these challenges firsthand. Together, we can change these statistics and save lives."
“Unfortunately, only 55 percent of women realize heart disease is their No. 1 killer and less than half know what are considered healthy levels for cardiovascular risk factors. The Go Red for Women movement works to make sure women know their risks and symptoms so they can take action to protect their health.”
I GO RED for research.
I GO RED to save lives.
I GO RED for education.
Woodbury
Edina
For more information visit WWW.HEART.ORG/MINNESOTAGORED
Twin Cities
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What is Woman of Impact ? Each year across the country, a select group of individuals are nominated to be a part of Woman of Impact because of their passion and drive to make a difference. This year, five Minnesota women were nominated and in April, at the end of a 9week campaign, this group of changemakers will be celebrated for their overall impact on the American Heart Association's mission. The nominee who makes the greatest impact and raises the most funds will be named the 2024 Minnesota Woman of Impact Winner.
See what our Woman of Impact accomplished last year.
Woman of Impact nominees enact change by hosting community events and raising awareness that heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death for Americans respectively.
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For more information visit WWW.HEART.ORG/MINNESOTAGORED
In honor of Go Red for Women’s 20th Anniversary, we are celebrating twenty Twin Cities women who have been instrumental in improving women’s heart health through the Go Red for Women campaign over the last decade. Our 2024 Women of the Decade honorees are philanthropic and corporate leaders who have made significant contributions of their time, influence, and funds to impact women’s health equity and inspire generations of women to prioritize their heart health and follow their passions.
2024 GO RED CHAIR JAIMIE MATTSON
JAIMIE MATTSON Senior Director of Global Product Marketing Beckman Coulter
WOMEN OF THE DECADE 2024 HONOREES
Alison Barrick Stacy Beske Susan Boren King Cindy Brooks Anjie Cayot Dawn Courrier Theresa Davis Rachel Ellingson Beth Ford Jamie Lohr, MD Jaimie Mattson Jeannine Rivet Rebecca Seidel Pam Simons Carolyn Sleeth Candace Steele Flippin Anna Szafranski Andrea Walsh Laura Williams Jill Wyant For more information visit WWW.HEART.ORG/MINNESOTAGORED
This year, we are leaning into the number 20 – celebrating twenty incredible Women of the Decade honorees, twenty inspiring heart and stroke survivors, and twenty years of saving and improving women’s lives. I am humbled to be honored alongside these incredible women and honored to be the 2024 Twin Cities Go Red for Women Chair. Cardiovascular disease impacts women of all ages, races, ethnicities, and backgrounds. Women continue to be overlooked, have their symptoms dismissed, and are often uncounted in research. Girls, especially young women of color, are significantly underrepresented in STEM education and careers. Through Go Red we hope to change all of that - to prevent heart disease, to empower women, and to educate and inspire the next generation of girls. Cardiovascular disease remains a top killer of women. That’s why we must engage volunteers who are passionate about making a lasting impact – which each of these Women of the Decade honorees have done. These women have pioneered a movement that is changing the future of women’s heart health across Minnesota. March 2024 AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, TWIN CITIES
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2024 GO RED For two decades Go Red for Women has been focused on educating women that heart disease is their leading cause of death, empowering women to be business leaders and change makers, and supporting women in their role as moms, sisters, and partners.
Valerie Fall, Stroke Survivor Alicia Bravo, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivor Melanie McIvor, Heart Attack Survivor
Ramona Dale, Congenital Heart Defect Cheryl Jordan Winston, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivor Ronaele Hoffman, Heart Attack Survivor
Jan Maycock, Stroke Survivor
Lorie Olesiak, Heart Attack Survivor
Grethell Johnson, Heart Block
Molly Lyons, Heart Attack Survivor
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For more information visit WWW.HEART.ORG/MINNESOTAGORED
SURVIVORS In honor of Go Red for Women’s 20th Anniversary, this incredible group of Minnesota women shared their stories to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease, and to inspire women to take better care of their health. Because losing even one woman is too many.
Jen Thorson, Heart Attack Survivor
Heidi Murphy, Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Myranda Chicos, Congenital Heart Defect
AmandaJean Beaulieu, Stroke Survivor
Bruna James, Heart Transplant
Susan Ydstie, Congenital Heart Defect
Kelley Hoolihan, Heart Attack Survivor
Jeanie Unger, Heart Attack Survivor
Kadie Neuharth, Heart Transplant
For more information visit WWW.HEART.ORG/MINNESOTAGORED
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Meet Cheryl Jordan Winston After going into Sudden Cardiac Arrest at home, CPR saved Cheryl’s life. The American Heart Association honored Cheryl at the 20th Anniversary Go Red for Women celebration on February 22 in Minneapolis.
O n September 6, 2020, Cheryl collapsed in her bedroom
Doctors followed resuscitation protocols lowering
at home. Her husband called 911 and immediately started
Cheryl’s body temperature and putting her in a coma
CPR. She had no pulse and was not breathing for 20
for a few days before she regained consciousness.
minutes. Luckily, her husband was trained in CPR over 20
Cheryl is quick to point out that many of the
years prior to her cardiac arrest, but he did not hesitate to
resuscitation protocols she received were not only
jump into action. As EMS and Police arrived, they
developed in Minnesota, but did not exist 10 years ago,
continued CPR and transported Cheryl to the hospital.
especially not 20 years ago when Go Red for Women was created.
When Cheryl’s family arrived at the hospital, they were informed that one of the final shocks from the defibrillator got her heart beating again. However, Cheryl remained unconscious.
8 March 2024 AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, TWIN CITIES
Go Red is 20 this year! Learn how you can get involved. For more visit WWW.HEART.ORG/MINNESOTAGORED Forinformation more information, visit WWW.HEART.ORG/TWINCITIES
“One of my electro-cardiology nurses told me that if my heart event happened 5 years ago, I probably would not have survived. The resuscitation protocols used on me were developed in the last few years and that is why the work of the American Heart Association is so important. The education and research funded by the American Heart Association saves lives… literally.” Each year, approximately 350,000 Americans experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, and when they do, it’s usually at home. Their survival depends on bystanders typically loved ones such as spouses or children - to step in, call 911 and begin CPR while help is on the way, just like Cheryl’s husband did. Unfortunately, this usually does not happen, and almost 90% of people who
Kevin, Cheryl, and their son at the 2022 Twin Cities Heart Ball
experience cardiac arrest outside the hospital die. Cheryl had just started a new job before her sudden cardiac arrest and was thrilled to return to work after only 6 weeks, with some short-term memory loss. Cheryl received an ICD which helped her and her family feel confident in returning to work, following her cardiac rehab, and staying physically fit. She even completed a 15k walk just seven months after her cardiac arrest! It has been three years since Cheryl’s unexpected heart event, and she is happy to be able to get back to work, cook, travel, and spend time with her family, especially her two children. “I get my energy from my kids and want to be the best mom I can be. Now I am focused on enjoying another 20+ years so I can see be there for my family.”
DO YOU KNOW THE SYMPTOMS OF A HEART ATTACK? SYMPTOMS IN WOMEN Chest pain, but not always Pain or pressure in the lower chest or upper abdomen Jaw, neck or upper back pain Nausea or vomiting Shortness of breath Fainting Indigestion Extreme fatigue
SYMPTOMS IN MEN Squeezing chest pressure or pain Jaw, neck or back pain Nausea or vomiting Shortness of breath
If you experience any of these signs or symptoms, dial 9-1-1 immediately.
Cheryl is also an active volunteer with the American Heart Association acting as a Minnesota Business Accelerator judge in 2022, Twin Cities Leaders of Impact in 2022, and is currently serving on the Twin Cities Heart Ball Executive Leadership Team.
For more information visit WWW.HEART.ORG/MINNESOTAGORED
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