GO RED for Women

from Orange Appeal January/February '23

Love Stories: Weddings

GO REDforwomen

Spread the Word. Save Lives. Let’s Go Red.

Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association’s signature women’s initiative and is a comprehensive platform designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women globally.

It’s no longer just about wearing red; it’s no longer just about sharing heart health facts. It’s about ALL women making a commitment to stand together with Go Red and taking charge of their own heart health as well as the health of those they can’t bear to live without.

Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women and claims more women’s lives than all forms of cancer combined. Women experience unique stages through their lives which affect both overall health and cardiovascular health. Unique risk factors specific to women are pregnancy and menopause.

Women, especially Black and Hispanic women, are disproportionally impacted by heart disease and stroke, and research shows heart attacks are on the rise in younger women. Yet younger generations of women are less likely to be aware of their greatest health threat, including knowing the warning signs of heart attacks and strokes. That’s why it’s important for all women to take charge of their heart health and encourage others to do the same. Losing even one woman to cardiovascular disease is too many.

We want to inspire women with this call to action: • Awareness is critical. All women need to know that cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women. • “Know Your Numbers” — the key personal health numbers that help determine risk for heart disease: total cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index. • Know your family history and talk to your doctor about heart disease and stroke. • Take charge of your health to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease with tools and resources from Go Red for Women on physical activity, healthy eating, controlling blood pressure and managing sleep and stress. Signs and symptoms of heart disease and stroke: https://www.goredforwomen.org/

en/about-heart-disease-in-women/signsand-symptoms-in-women

CIRCLE OF RED

Circle of Red is a society of passionate individuals who are in the fight against heart disease and stroke in women to win.

In Central Florida, Circle of Red members use their influence, generosity and passion to help increase awareness of cardiovascular disease — the leading cause of death in women — and to inspire women to take charge of their health.

Circle of Red members are leaders in their communities and families. For many members, the fight against heart disease is personal.

As some of our greatest champions of the Go Red for Women movement, our Circle of Red members not only help save lives, but they are the heart of our mission.

Vanessa Garner, Wendy Terry and Yamile Luna Brittany Gruber and Jeni Dzenis

2023 CIRCLE OF RED MEMBERS

Christi Ashby Belinda Berman Wendy Brandon Kimberly Brown Kari Conley Judith Conrad Tina Craft Ericka Dunlap Jeni Dzenis Candace Eden Andrea Eliscu Camille Evans Kari Fleck Gabriele Gannaway Vanessa Garner Chris Gearity Brittany Gruber Mizo Michelle Hartog Swathy Kolli Eva Krzewinski Yamile Luna Andrea Massey-Farrell Yolanda McLeod Terry Suzanne Menendez Lourdes Mola Shery Moorhead Karla Muniz Sonja Nicholson Giorgina Pinedo-Rolon Christina Pinto Rogers Cindy Price Cindy Reed Lisa Rosen Gloria San Miguel Valarie Sanders Sumbal Sattar Jill Schwartz Katie Seymour Mary Lou Sole Kimberlee Strong Tracy Swanson Wendy Terry Lisette Vizcarrondo Jayne Willis Stella Wilson (As of 12/1/2022)

Message from the CHAIR

Kimberly Brown

Dear Friends & Heart Heroes,

I offer my sincerest thanks to each of you for joining me at this year’s Go Red for Women luncheon as we recognize and honor the incredible impact we have as a community to save lives, advance research, and elevate prevention efforts. As we embark on a new year, each of you have made a difference in the ways we fight cardiac illnesses. As the signature sponsor for 2023, AdventHealth is grateful for your support.

The 2023 Go Red for Women celebration marks the first time I have served as chair of the campaign. It has truly been an incredible honor! While I have been in healthcare and driven by serving others for over 18 years, a new passion was ignited for this work when my son Carter was born with congenital heart defects in 2015. The experience of multiple surgeries and eventually a pacemaker was challenging for my family. However, we found an uplifting partner in the American Heart Association; a partnership that meant Carter’s illness had a greater purpose of helping others in health crises. Our theme this year is “Be a Hero.” For Carter and others, having cardiovascular disease may be out of their control because of genetics or diabetes. For many others cardiac illnesses could have been prevented. We each play an important role in that prevention and can be heroes for our communities and one another.

The Go Red for Women movement raises awareness about the signs and symptoms of heart disease and stroke and how to control the associated risk factors. Thanks to the Go Red campaign, the Little Red Dress is now a symbol recognized around the country, and women are increasingly aware that heart disease and stroke are the #1 causes of death for women. The movement also raises funds for life-saving research and prevention right here in our community.

The 2023 Go Red campaign provides a forum for women to stand together to make a commitment to healthy lifestyles. I hope that you will be a hero and consider giving generously to help the American Heart Association continue their work empowering women to take charge of their heart health.

From my heart to yours,

Kimberly Brown Executive Director, Organizational Culture, AdventHealth

HEART MONTH — “BE THE BEAT”

According to the American Heart Association, about 90 percent of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. If you are called on to give CPR in an emergency, you will most likely be trying to save the life of someone you love: a spouse, a parent or a friend.

February is American Heart Month, and the American Heart Association is shedding a light on the importance of knowing Hands-Only CPR. This year’s heart month urges people to “be the beat” it takes to keep someone alive by learning the two simple steps it takes to save a life.

Step 1: If a teen or adult in your home suddenly collapses, call 911 immediately.

Step 2: Place one hand on top of the other as shown in the video and push hard and fast on the victim’s chest.

Watch the 60-second video available at heart.org/handsonlycpr to learn today.