Nearly half of women ages 20 and older are living with some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD), the No. 1 killer of women.[1] Because of her passion for improving women’s heart health in Rochester, Pamela Heald, president and CEO of Reliant Credit Union, will serve as the 2025 volunteer chair of Go Red for Women in Rochester. Launched more than two decades ago to increase women’s heart health awareness, Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association’s global movement designed to serve as a catalyst for change to improve the health of women. As the American Heart Association enters its second century of lifesaving work, Heald will play a critical role in women’s health by leading fundraising and planning efforts for the 2025 Rochester Go Red for Women Luncheon.
CVD is the leading cause of death in women, claiming more lives than all cancers combined, and continues to be women’s greatest health threat.[2] According to the American Heart Association, devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, as women grow and change so does their risk for CVD. Unique life stages like pregnancy and menopause can affect that risk. The good news is the majority of cardiovascular disease incidents can be prevented through lifestyle changes and education. Through Go Red for Women, the Association calls on all women to take charge of their health and encourage other women to do the same. Because when it comes to their health, women have the best resource: they have each other.
“Everyone has a heart and needs to take care of it. Several members of my family have dealt with heart disease and stroke. I work with a young woman who had a cardiac arrest at our workplace and it changed me,” said Heald. “As women, we often put others first. I’m honored to lead this effort to raise awareness, provide education and inspire action to help women of all ages take control of their heart health and support each other in this vital mission.”
“We are incredibly grateful for Pamela and her passion and dedication to the Go Red for Women movement,” said Salley Thornton, American Heart Association Rochester volunteer board chair and director of field marketing and events at Toshiba America Business Solutions. “She leads by example through her commitment to raising awareness and advocating for women’s heart health, and because of this she can made a significant impact on our community.”
Go Red for Women is a global movement with impact across the United States and in more than 50 countries around the world. This year’s Go Red for Women movement and its local achievements will be celebrated on December 2nd at the 2025 RochesterGo Red for Women Luncheon.
Go Red for Women is nationally sponsored by CVS Health and the Rochester Go Red for Women Luncheon is locally sponsored by UR Medicine, Reliant Credit Union, Freed Maxick and more. For more information contact Michelle.Marks-Hook@heart.org or visit the event website.
[1] Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2023 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association | Circulation (ahajournals.org)
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/women/lcod/2017/all-races-origins/index.htm