Hundreds of people dressed in red will attend the annual Blair Go Red for Women Event and Fashion Show on May 23 starting at 6 p.m. at the Blair County Convention Center to honor survivors, celebrate advancements in heart health and raise funds toward a world free of cardiovascular disease, which claims the lives of 1 in 3 women.
Dr. Gregory S. Martinek
Maggie Smolka of WTAJ will serve as host of the evening’s program. In addition to a heart-healthy buffet dinner, silent auction and inspiring speakers, the highlight of the evening is the fashion show where local health care heroes, heart disease and stroke survivors, and pageant winners will walk the runway in fashions from Macy’s and Celestial Brides. The American Heart Association will also present the annual Heart Hall of Fame award to Dr. Gregory S. Martinek, medical director of the department of hospital medicine at UPMC Altoona and Bedford and recognize the 2024 Blair Woman of Impact winner Beth Kravetz, director of perfusion services for Procirca at UPMC Altoona.
Heather Scott, senior clinical manager of the cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology labs at UPMC Altoona, will serve as the chairwoman.
Funds raised at the Blair Go Red for Women Event and Fashion Show support the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement that aims 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).
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.
Heather Scott
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.
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. The Blair Go Red for Women Event and Fashion Show is locally sponsored by PSECU, Boston Scientific, Geisinger, Nason Foundation, UPMC and UPMC Health Plan, FirstEnergy Foundation, Inari Medical, Medtronic and other local companies. Seats are still available. For more information, visit heart.org/blairgored.
[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