Go Red for Women Empowering Hearts in February and Beyond
AS THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF DEATH in our nation, heart disease claims a life every 33 seconds—whether it is a man, woman, or child. The American Heart Association is committed to fostering impactful community change worldwide and in New Orleans. Their mission is clear: reduce the fatalities from heart disease and stroke while striving to enhance cardiovascular health for men, women, and children. WHY GO RED FOR WOMEN? The leading cause of death among women in The United States is heart disease. Heart disease surpasses the combined toll of all cancer types and is a persistent threat to women’s health. Heart disease claims the life of one in every three women, emphasizing its status as the most significant health risk for women. Those impactful statistics are unsettling. Other facts about heart disease in women are important to know as well. • •
• •
90 percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease. Since 1984, more women than men have died each year from heart disease, and the gap between men’s and women’s survival continues to widen. The symptoms of heart disease can be different in women vs. men and are often misunderstood. While 1 in 31 American women dies from breast cancer each year, 1 in 3 dies of heart disease.
Considering these statistics and other life-threatening factors, in 2004, The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement was born. Go Red for Women is an all-encompassing platform created to heighten awareness about women’s heart health and spark positive change to enhance the lives of every woman. In New Orleans, the battle to save women from heart disease is very much alive. The Go Red for Women initiative is in full swing with volunteer chairwomen Dr. Rupa Jolly
and Martine Chaisson Linares as the 2023-2024 New Orleans area Go Red for Women movement community. Rupa and Martine are passionate about educating women about the impact of heart disease and are dedicated to raising awareness that heart disease can be prevented. “We are thrilled to have Rupa and Martine’s passion, drive, and energy help to drive Go Red in New Orleans. Their dedication to serving others through the mission of the American Heart Association is boundless. Together, we know that we will have a positive impact on the lives of women in our community and the families that depend on them,” said Coretta LaGarde, executive director of The American Heart Association in Greater New Orleans. There are many events for the Go Red for Women initiative in the coming months. The first will kick off on Friday, March 1st, at the 2024 New Orleans Go Red for Women Luncheon. Gathering at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, attendees, who are encouraged to wear red, will enjoy special guest speakers who are mother-and-daughter survivors, a Free Hands-Only CPR activity, a silent auction, and a Live Fierce Fashion Show. Registration and activities will begin at 10:00 am. Other upcoming local events for the Go Red for Women movement include the Northshore Heart Walk on May 11th and the New Orleans Heart Ball on June 1. For information on these events, visit their websites: NorthshoreHeartWalk. org and Heart.org/NOLAHeartBall. Go Red for Women is nationally sponsored by CVS Health and locally sponsored by Entergy, & United Healthcare For more information, visit www.neworleansgored.heart.org. F e bruary - M a rch 2 024
39
