“Be the Beat” at Vermont’s Go Red for Women Event on April 11th in Burlington

The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, announced its plans for the 2023 Vermont Go Red for Women® event. This Association signature event will be held on Tuesday, April 11^th from 5pm – 8 pm at the Hilton Burlington Lake Champlain.

The event will begin with an exciting silent auction and Hands-Only CPR demonstrations by local health professionals. The dinner program, hosted by Mary Cenci of Star 92.9 and Lauren Maloney of ABC22 & FOX44, will feature an educational keynote address, inspiring survivor stories, and the presentation of the 2023 Crystal Heart Award.

Dr. Preetika Muthukrishnan, will provide the keynote address on how guests can “Be the Beat” by learning CPR and how women’s heart attack and stroke warning signs can differ from those of men. Dr. Muthukrishan is an assistant professor of medicine at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont. She also serves as chair of the resuscitation committee for UVM Medical Center.

The 2023 Crystal Heart award will be presented to Dr. Prospero Gogo. This award recognizes those individuals who strive to make Vermont a better place to live, work, and thrive through their commitment to the well-being of Vermonters. Dr. Gogo is a professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont and a cardiologist at the University of Vermont Medical Center.

A longtime advocate for the Association’s public policy issues, Dr. Gogo currently chairs the Association’s Vermont Advocacy Committee. He will be honored for his tireless efforts championing the Association’s issues such as decreasing youth tobacco use, improving kids’ restaurant meals, increasing medical funding for cardiovascular disease, and testing newborns for congenital heart defects.

Chaired by Joanne Leclerc, Cloud Technical Project Manager for the Department of Homeland Security, this event is designed to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease in women as well as to generate funds for lifesaving cardiovascular research for women. The event’s Executive Leadership Team includes: Julie Braun; Kendra Kirkland, Vermont Mutual; and Sarah Larson, Otter Creek Awnings. This year’s goal is to raise $85,000 to support the Association’s lifesaving work.

The Association’s Go Red for Women movement launched in 2004 to empower women to reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease, which continues to be the leading killer and is on the rise in younger women. “Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women, claiming more women’s lives than all forms of cancer combined. However, a majority of cardiac and stroke events can be prevented through lifestyle changes such as moving more, eating smart and managing blood pressure,” said Leclerc.

The Vermont Go Red for Women event is sponsored nationally by CVS Health and locally by ABC22 & FOX44, BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont, Cardiovascular Research Institute of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine at The University of Vermont, M&T Bank, PC Construction, Star 92.9, University of Vermont Health Network, Vermont Mutual, Vermont Federal Credit Union and Vermont Gas.

To register and for more information, visit: VTGoRed.Heart.org or email [email protected]. Connect with the Association in Vermont at Heart.org/Vermont and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@VTHeartAssoc).