Hampton Roads unites to help eliminate heart disease and stroke in women

American Heart Association’s signature Go Red for Women Luncheon raises awareness and critical funds, while calling for action against health disparities

This year, more than 400 people dressed in red will attend the American Heart Association Hampton Roads’ annual Go Red for Women Luncheon on Friday, February 14, 2025 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center to honor survivors, celebrate advancements in heart health and chart a new course toward a world free of cardiovascular disease, which claims the lives of 1 in 3 women.

One hundred years after its founding, the American Heart Association, devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives for all, looks to its premier women’s movement, Go Red for Women®, to help usher in a second century of pioneering progress towards health equity for women.

This year with the event happening on Friday, February 14, 2025 (Valentine’s Day) at the Hampton Roads Convention Center from 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., attendees can expect to enjoy a bustling Festival of Red Expo featuring vendors and activities during the pre-luncheon networking hour and a silent auction. During the program attendees can expect moments with mission and purpose, a keynote address from Laura Coates, CNN Anchor & Chief Legal Analyst, Radio Show Host and Author and an added element, the Survivor Fashion Show. Survivors featured will include:

MeShall Simmons, a survivor of postpartum preeclampsia and acute heart failure

Randah Gaitan, a survivor of sudden cardiac arrest

Stephanie Batten – a survivor of a 90% blockage of soft plaque in the left anterior descending artery

Daniela Seifert, a 3-time sudden cardiac arrest survivor

Abby Larsen, a tetralogy of fallot congenital heart defect survivor

Katie Moegenberg, a double bypass open-heart surgery survivor

Vickie Williams Cullins, a 2-time stroke and heart failure survivor

Christina Saldivar, a stroke survivor

Macy Marshall, a pericarditis survivor

Sherrell Clark, a survivor of multiple pulmonary embolisms

Leah Griffin, a spontaneous coronary artery dissection survivor

La’Tisha Tucker, a heart attack survivor

Additionally, the Live Fierce Awards locally sponsored by TowneBank will feature recognition of four community leaders to include:

Bonita Billingsley Harris, Dominion Energy

Patricia Bracknell, Chamber for Hispanic Progress

Dr. Leryn Reynolds, Old Dominion University

President Katherine Rowe, The College of William & Mary

“I joined the Go Red for Women movement because I’ve seen firsthand how heart disease affects the lives of women in our community. It’s not just a statistic—it’s our mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends,” said Adria Vanhoozier, Hampton Roads Go Red for Women chair and President of Riverside Doctors’ Hospital Williamsburg. “This movement gives us the chance to come together, raise awareness, and take action to prevent this disease. I believe in the power of community, and by supporting each other, we can create lasting change and improve the health of women everywhere.”

The 2025 Go Red for Women Executive Leadership Team includes:

Adria Vanhoozier, President, Riverside Doctors’ Hospital Williamsburg

Terry Banez, CEO, Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce

Traci Georges, First Lady & Minister, The Mount Peninsula

Charlene Grabowski, Partner, Pathfinder Strategies

Dr. Petra Lynch, Cardiologist, Sentara Health

Frankye Myers, Chief Nurse Executive, Riverside Health

Amber Price, President, Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center

Dr. Towuanna Porter Brannon, President, Virginia Peninsula Community College

Dr. Janelle St. Louis, Pharmacist, Defense Health Agency

Alexis Swann, President, TowneBank Peninsula and Williamsburg

Glenda Turner, Senior Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation

Eileen Varnson, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Riverside Health

Dr. Alex Ward, Cardiologist, Riverside Health

Bert Wheat, Marketing Manager, Goodman & Sons Jewelers

Nhu Yeargin, Administrator, YLS, Inc.

Addressing women’s heart health at any age, stage and season of life is the theme of this year’s luncheon. Guests will rally at the heart-healthy event to champion women’s heart health and raise funds towards a goal of $350,000 to save and improve women’s lives by advancing equitable research and care, advocating for inclusive health policies and raising awareness of women’s number one health threat, cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Since 2004, the Go Red for Women movement has addressed the awareness and clinical care gaps of CVD for women. As the movement celebrates 20 years of making an impact, the Association calls on all women to take charge of their health and make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of their community.

“Whether it’s learning CPR, joining Research Goes Red, knowing your own risk factors, having an honest conversation with your doctor, or empowering another woman to prioritize her own health and well-being, there are so many ways to create a legacy of health in our families and our community,” said MeShall Simmons, Executive Director of the American Heart Association Hampton Roads.

“Go Red for Women is here for women’s health and well-being at every age, stage and season of their lives,” Simmons continued. “And by coming together and supporting the women in our community, we can make a lasting impact.”

As women grow and change so does their risk for cardiovascular disease. CVD is the leading cause of death in women, claiming more lives than all cancers combined. Nearly 45% of women over age 20 are living with some form of CVD. In fact, it’s the leading cause of maternal death in the U.S., or more simply put, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of new moms and pregnancy-related deaths are on the rise.[1] Yet, younger generations of women, Gen Z and Millennials, are less likely to be aware of their greatest health threat, including knowing the warning signs of heart attacks and strokes.[2] That’s why it’s important for all women to take charge of their heart health and encourage others to do the same.

Go Red for Women is nationally sponsored by CVS Health and the Hampton Roads Go Red for Women Luncheon is locally sponsored by Riverside Health, Bon Secours Hampton Roads, TowneBank, HII and its Newport News Shipbuilding Division, Sentara Health and Goodman & Sons Jewelers. Media sponsors are Coastal Virginia Magazine and WAVY-TV 10 and Fox 43. Tickets, tables and sponsorships are available now. For more information contact Laura Bynum at laura.bynum@heart.org or visit www.heart.org/hamptonroadsgored.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

About Go Red for Women® 

The American Heart Association’s signature initiative, Go Red for Women®, 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. While the majority of cardiac events can be prevented, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, claiming the lives of 1 in 3 women. For more than two decades, Go Red for Women has encouraged awareness. The movement harnesses the energy, passion and power of women to band together and collectively wipe out heart disease. It challenges them to know their risk for heart disease and take action to reduce their personal risk. It also gives them tools they need to lead a heart healthy life. The Go Red for Women movement is nationally sponsored by CVS Health, with additional support from national cause supporters. For more information, please visit GoRedforWomen.org or call 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721). 

For Media Inquiries:

Jaylyn Brown: 757-628-2605; jaylyn.brown@heart.org


[1] Centers for Disease Control Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System Table:Causes of Pregnancy-Related Deaths

[2] https://newsroom.heart.org/news/heart-disease-awareness-decline-spotlights-urgency-to-reach-younger-women-and-women-of-color