With an impressive goal of a 25-percent reduction in coronary heart disease and stroke this year, the AHA has recruited people and businesses from around the nation to show their support of this movement. Locally, numerous men and women are “going red,” and Harrisburg Magazine found out what compelled 13 of them to embrace this crusade.
Denise Adams
Highmark BlueShield
I originally became involved with the American Heart Association because of my son, who was born with a congenital heart defect. As a family, we realized that if the research had not been done, our son would not be here today. We wanted to do what we could to give back and keep the funding for research and education. We also hope to instill, in our children, the need to get involved in causes that are important and meaningful to them.
Julia Flynn
Sovereign Bank
I am intrigued by the Go Red for Women campaign and its focus. Women so often try to do it all and forget to take care of themselves. We are daughters, sisters, mothers, aunts and wives – on top of a host of other expectations. The message of Go Red for Women is to educate women of all ages about our risks when it comes to the number one killer of women in America. This is important to me as a woman in this community who knows what it is like not to slow down and take care of myself for all of those who are a part of my life. I highly suggest to everyone in our local community to at least give their time to the American Heart Association.
Representative Michael Gerber (D-Montgomery)
PA House of Representatives
It has been a great pleasure partnering with the American Heart Association, other health-focused organizations and a bi-partisan group of legislators on two critical bills: the Clean Indoor Act, now law, and my proposed Healthy Schools legislation.
Because of my experience with two smoking parents, both of whom suffered greatly from their addictions, I joined my friend, Senator Stewart Greenleaf, on a crusade to enact a statewide smoking ban. Scientific evidence overwhelming demonstrates that secondhand smoke is not merely a nuisance, but a serious and even deadly health risk. With the help from our partners inside and outside the legislature, Sen. Greenleaf and I were able to pass a smoking ban that will save lives and create a healthier state.
Now, with a new year upon us, I hope to launch a similar effort to protect kids from childhood obesity. My wife and I have three kids, and feel as though we have to constantly battle crafty ad campaigns and poor food choices in school to keep our kids healthy. We are not alone. In fact, 17 percent of Pennsylvania students are obese. These children suffer socially and academically, and are far more likely to suffer from chronic, costly ailments like heart disease, diabetes and cancer. My legislation will set strict nutritional standards for items sold in schools to provide students with the healthy alternatives they deserve.
I look forward to this effort, and hope we can continue to make Pennsylvania a safer and healthier state.
Representative Julie Harhart (R-Lehigh)
PA House of Representatives
As a woman, the mother of a daughter and someone who has lost an aunt to heart disease, I am passionate about raising awareness and educating women on the dangers of heart disease. Heart disease is traditionally thought to only impact men, which has led to many women with heart disease going undetected. I am continually surprised at how often a heart attack in a woman is misdiagnosed because her symptoms can often be very different from the “classic” heart attack signs men have. That is why I think it is imperative that we bring greater awareness to this issue. I have been involved with the Wear Red campaign for many years and have personally authored legislation in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives encouraging support for women's heart disease awareness month, since 2003. I am hopeful that these campaigns will heighten awareness of this issue and help save lives.
Janice Kopelman
Deputy Secretary for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention,
PA Department of Health
This issue is personal for me because both of my parents died due to the complications of heart disease. I also worked in hospitals for several years of my career, assisting patients and their families in managing heart disease and its effects. As a public health official, I am well positioned to deliver prevention messages to women who may be at risk for heart disease.
The Go Red for Women campaign is a powerful tool for educating women about heart disease and how to prevent it. Heart disease is the number one killer of women, and in 2007, more women and men died from heart disease. The Go Red for Women not only raises awareness about heart disease in women, but also provides resources to help women to understand the risk factors for heart disease and take action to reduce their risk.
How can you take charge of your heart health? It’s easier than you think – visit your doctor once a year, be physically active, quit smoking or don’t start, lose excess weight and eat a healthier diet. It’s time to make the change for a healthier you.
Senator Jane Orie (R-Allegheny)
PA Senate
I became involved with the Go Red for Women campaign because heart disease prevention is very personal to me. I lost my mother to heart disease, so I know how devastating this illness is, and that it can strike anyone.
While largely preventable, few realize that heart disease is the number one killer of women and men. Through Go Red for Women and other public awareness efforts, more women are learning how to live healthier lifestyles. Exercise, smoking cessation, healthy weight management, blood pressure control and blood cholesterol management are all simple, effective steps women can do on their own to help prevent disease and save lives.
Between the efforts of the American Heart Association, dedicated medical professionals and the network of family and friends sharing the message, we can help to reduce the death rate from cardiovascular disease.
Representative Eddie Day Pashinski (D-Luzerne)
PA House of Representatives
Promoting heart health and other health care-related policies has been a cornerstone of my work since organizing the Northeast Pennsylvania Health Care Reform Task Force to promote and facilitate the development of fair, affordable and accessible quality health care for all Americans. Many people are impacted in our communities by heart disease and stroke, and the work that the American Heart Association does through it’s Go Red for Women campaign and other policy initiatives, exemplifies lifesaving efforts to curb heart and stroke-related diseases.
I am proud to partner with the American Heart Association to author legislation that will expand Pennsylvania’s Heart Disease and Stroke Program to further implement best practices and to provide proven interventions that will help the prevention and improve the treatment of coronary emergencies and stroke. I also was a strong supporter of the Pennsylvania Clean Indoor Air law, which banned smoking in many public places. Supporting these important public policies will go a long way to save more lives and improve the quality of life for tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians.
Valerie Pritchett
abc27 News
I like the AHA's message about preventative care. Many of us have had heart disease touch our lives in some way – personally, a family member or a friend. The more people who are educated, the more lives can be saved.
When I see the color red, I think heart health. I hope community members will think the same and take care of themselves and those they love.
Kim Schaller
Hershey Entertainment & Resorts
Anytime I can get involved with a group of women who are driven to making life better for each other, I want to get involved in some way! I attended the [Go Red] luncheon and learned how preventable heart disease is – and I am all about control! I knew I wanted to be part of convincing women to take control of their own health. Our community is stronger with women, period. We need to be healthy, engaged and thriving. When we are, and when we partner with men, it's an unbeatable combination!
Leslie Stiles
Pennsylvania Commission for Women
As Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Commission for Women, my involvement with the American Heart Association and its Go Red for Women campaign is a natural. Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women, yet most women don’t fully understand their risks. Advocating for and educating the women and girls of Pennsylvania is intrinsic in the PCW mission. It follows that heightening the awareness of heart attack and stroke warning signs, the role of cholesterol, the importance of diet and exercise is a critical outgrowth of that mission. Most importantly, as a breast cancer survivor, I know the importance of taking control of your health. Above all, I want the women of this state to be proactive and knowledgeable in their efforts to live healthy and productive lives. We women take care of everyone else, it’s time we took care of ourselves. Go Red for Women is helping us do just that.
Senator Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia)
PA Senate
I became involved with Go Red for Women through my work as a legislator, co-sponsoring an annual Go Red Senate Resolution. My community has a growing number of poor and minority families, and research suggests that they are particularly vulnerable to complications of untreated cardiovascular disease. The cure begins with education and reminding women, many of whom are busy heads of household, that knowledge and prevention are critical to their continued good health.
As a lawmaker, I am keenly aware of the consequences of the rising cost of health care. In addition to keeping women healthy and families intact, education about cardiovascular disease is a key component to reducing health costs and improving care for everyone in the community.
Go Red for Women is a vital tool for reaching out to working class families.
Coleen Terry
Delta Development Group
Two of my grandparents suffered from heart disease, which ultimately led to them having heart attacks and dying far too young. Having been particularly close to my paternal grandfather, I have always wanted to work with an organization that would allow me to do something meaningful in his memory. I’ve been looking to spend some time with an organization that aligns with my personal priorities and is well-run, organized and effective. The Great Rivers affiliate of AHA meets my personal goals for community involvement, and is the most effective non-profit I’ve worked with here in the Harrisburg region. I am proud to be associated with it and its dedicated staff.
Senator Pat Vance (R-Cumberland)
PA Senate
It is my pleasure to join the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign. I know firsthand the affects heart disease can have on women, as my mother died from the disease.
For too long, heart disease was perceived as a man’s health concern, but this is not true. Cardiovascular disease accounts for almost 37 percent of all deaths of United States women.
The key to reducing heart disease is furthering the education of women about the disease and taking steps to address one’s risk factors that can be controlled. These risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, stress, obesity and lack of physical activity. While reducing these risk factors alone will not eliminate the chance of developing heart disease, it will greatly decrease the chances.
On Feb. 5, I urge everyone to wear red to draw attention to this important health matter. HBG
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