AHA’s Successful Go Red for Women Luncheon Raises $58,000
The American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives, hosted its 2019 Tulsa Go Red for Women Luncheon on May 10 at the Hyatt Regency Tulsa. The annual event is designed to raise awareness and research funding for the leading cause of death in women: cardiovascular disease.
More than 500 attendees raised over $58,000 the day of the event bringing the 2019 Go Red for Women fundraising total to over $425,000.
The luncheon featured keynote speakers Jill Donovan, founder of Rustic Cuff, and Krystal Rogers, a Tulsa school teacher and mother who had life-saving heart surgery after receiving news she could have just three months to live. Shae Rozzi, Fox 23 evening news anchor, emceed the event.
Other featured speakers included Jen Kerchoff, who recognized Circle of Red fundraising members, Dr. Michael Phillips, 2019 AHA Tulsa Chapter Chairman Eric Polak, and Sherri White. AHA Tulsa Chapter Executive Director Shari Holdman also recognized Dr. David Sandler, chief executive officer of Oklahoma Heart Institute, for his work serving as the Tulsa board president.
The event, chaired by Jennifer Bighorse of Osage Casino & Hotel, included a vegetarian lunch, silent auction items, portrait photography, chair massages and blood pressure screenings.
The event’s educational component stressed the fact that while nearly 80 percent of cardiac events may be prevented, cardiovascular diseases continue to be a woman’s greatest health threat. One in three women is living with some form of cardiovascular disease and it kills one woman about every 80 seconds. To treat, beat and prevent cardiovascular diseases, women should understand family health history, know their numbers and make lifestyle changes like moving more, eating smart and managing their blood pressure. Risk factors that are within women’s control include smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, poor diet, obesity/overweight and diabetes.
The Tulsa Go Red for Women Luncheon is sponsored nationally by CVS Health and locally by Osage Casino & Hotel, Oklahoma Heart Institute, Cancer Treatment Centers of America, CommunityCare and ONEOK.
