The American Heart Association’s Woman of Impact and Teen of Impact nominees champion heart health through fundraising and philanthropy
More than 60% of U.S. adults will have cardiovascular disease (CVD) by 2050 according to recent data.[1] To kick off American Heart Month this February, five woman and teen leaders in Hudson Valley are joining the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, to overcome the No. 1 health threat, cardiovascular disease.
By age 18, many adolescents have already developed heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol or Type 2 diabetes, and a growing number of younger adults are experiencing adverse cardiovascular events.[2] That’s why two Hudson Valley teens are participating in the American Heart Association’s Teen of Impact™ campaign, a nine-week competition that challenges nominated teens to lead with purpose and create meaningful change in their communities. Nominees will compete to build a healthier community by spreading education on heart and brain health while raising critical funds that help in the fight against CVD.
The Heart Association’s Woman of Impact™ program is rallying three local changemakers through the Go Red for Women® movement to improve women’s heart health, address clinical care gaps and raise funds for cardiovascular research and education. Nearly 45% of women over the age of 20 are living with some form of CVD. Woman of Impact nominees will raise funds and awareness to improve women’s heart health and address clinical care gaps.
“When we come together, we are stronger than the leading cause of death, cardiovascular disease,” said Amy Young, executive director for the American Heart Association – Hudson Valley. “Each of the teens and women participating will use their time, talent and influence to educate the community about their risk, encourage them to take action to improve their health, and raise critical funds to continue the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association.”
The Woman of Impact and Teen of Impact nationwide initiatives launched on National Wear Red Day®, Friday, Feb. 6, in cities across the country. Hundreds of nominees will embark on a nine-week competition to help transform heart health. Each week, nominees and their team members participate in activities designed to create a culture of wellness. Activities may include learning CPR and sharing the importance of getting active, recruiting friends and family to participate in research or advocacy and more.
Hudson Valley’s 2026 Woman of Impact Nominees are:
- Dr. Jasjit Bhinder, a cardiologist at Vassar Brothers Medical Center with Nuvance Health, part of Northwell
- Sheila Mallon, with Applied Medical
- Cindi Mannese, owner of Unwrinkled Boutique
Hudson Valley’s 2026 Teen of Impact Nominees are:
- Aashika Duvvi, Arlington High School
- Sean Kwok, Arlington High School
After nine weeks of driving impact, the competition will culminate on April 9. The nominee from each campaign who raises the most lifesaving funds will be named the Hudson Valley 2026 Woman of Impact Winner and Hudson Valley 2026 Teen of Impact Winner. In addition to local market winners, the woman and teen nominee who raised the most nationwide, will be named the National Woman of Impact Winner and Teen of Impact Winner.
To learn more about the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement in Hudson Valley, visit www.heart.org/GoRedHV.
[1] Forecasting the Burden of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke in the United States Through 2050—Prevalence of Risk Factors and Disease: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association | Circulation [ahajournals.org]
[2] Adulting is hard on the heart: teen to young adulthood is a critical time to address risk | American Heart Association