More than 440 local women and men packed the room at Daniele’s Banquet Specialists in New Hartford on Wednesday, May 3rd to help fight heart disease and stroke in women. The event raised more than $130,000 for the Go Red For Women campaign.
The chairwoman of the 2017 Go Red For Women campaign was Kristen Martin, Chief Operating Officer for presenting sponsor Utica National Insurance Group. “It has been an honor to serve as the chairwoman of this great event,” said Martin. “Go Red For Women encourages all of us to truly think about our own heart health and how we can improve the health of our community. I am thankful for all the support this movement has received from local volunteers, donors, sponsors, and community leaders. Because of you, we are making a difference.”
This year’s luncheon recognized the second annual Go Red Survivor Class, sponsored by First Source Federal Credit Union. The class features eight local women who are survivors of heart disease and stroke. Survivor Class members include: 
Riya Burke
Patricia Cummings
Debbie Kryczkowski
Elvira Marotta
Sarah Milograno
Angie Pavlovsky
Catherine Pillmore
Nickie Stillwell
Additionally, heart transplant survivor Cheryl Murdock shared her story, including the story of the teenage girl who provided her new heart. Murdock says years of medical advancements are why she is still alive today and she believes if she were born even 10 years earlier she would not have survived.
Go Red For Women is nationally sponsored by Macys and CVS Health, and locally sponsored by Utica National Insurance Group, First Source Federal Credit Union, VNA Home Care, M&T Bank, Mohawk Valley Health System, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Lite 98.7, and Roser Communications.