Go Red Luncheon

Hundreds of community leaders celebrated women’s heart health at The Westin Beach Resort & Spa Fort Lauderdale for the 8th Annual Go Red For Women Celebration, Luncheon, and Love Your Heart Workshops. With donations still coming in, over $375,000 has been raised for American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement, a campaign to raise awareness about heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women. This year, the campaign celebrated its 10th anniversary. Heart disease affects one in every three women across the United States. However, only one in five women believes that heart disease is her greatest health threat.

“Since the inception of Go Red For Women, more than 627,000 women’s lives have been saved from cardiovascular diseases, that’s 330 lives saved per day,” said Gabrielle Finley-Hazle, CEO of Florida Medical Center and the event chair. “I am very pleased to have led the fundraising efforts this year knowing that the money raised will help fund research, education and community programs that will continue to benefit women all over the world.“

The celebration included educational workshops and an interactive boutique by local sponsors, followed by a heart-healthy luncheon at noon. This year’s theme was “Keeping the Beat in South Florida.” Ellen Jaffy, of LITE 101.5 FM, served as the mistress of ceremonies. Tenet Florida and GCI Worldwide are the City Goes Red Sponsors for Go Red For Women on a local level, and the campaign is sponsored nationally by Macy’s. Other local sponsors include Team Health, Vitas Innovative Health Care, Walgreens, Wells Fargo, Broad & Cassel, Focus Care, Lubell & Rosen, and Sheridan HealthCorp.

The keynote speaker was Karen Pfeffer, co-founder of Fire Power Seminars, who inspired the women in the room to take control of their health and happiness. Natalie Baro, Michelsen Advertising, is the 2014 Go Red For Women chair. The Circle of Red Chair is Dr. Tiffany Sizemore-Ruiz and the Open Your Heart Chair is Terri Jackson Carson.

The association encourages all women to take charge of their own heart health by visiting their doctor and knowing their numbers. Blood pressure, cholesterol and other numbers can be improved by making lifestyle changes, resulting in healthier lives. For more information, please visit www.goredforwomen.org

For further information, please call Maria Leon at 954-364-5012.