The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, announced the 2022 South Central Pennsylvania Woman of Impact nominees.
Younger generations of women, Gen Z and Millennials, are less likely to be aware that cardiovascular disease is their greatest health threat. That’s why it’s important for all women to take charge of their heart health and encourage others to do the same. Each year, a select group of individuals are nominated by their peers to become a Woman of Impact because of their passion and drive to increase awareness and make a difference both in their community, and for the Go Red for Women movement. This year the nominees are:
- Heidi Bowie, strategic partnership client executive, Highmark
- Emily Bumgarner, registered dietitian, Weis Markets
- Molly Halbert, owner, m.elene vintage
- Lizaida Morales, medical software trainer, UPMC Central PA
- Melissa Sprout, assistant store manager, Weis Markets
Beginning on National Wear Red Day, Feb. 4, 2022, these five women began an 8-week initiative to transform the health of women in South Central Pennsylvania. The nominees will recruit champions from their networks to form an impact team and together have a direct impact on women’s health and the Go Red for Women movement. Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association’s signature movement to encouraged heart health awareness and harnesses the energy, passion and power of women to band together and collectively wipe out heart disease.
During each week of the initiative, nominees participate in a variety of activities designed to drive mission impact and create a culture of health and health equity, locally. Nominees will help raise awareness of the no. 1 killer of women – cardiovascular disease, engage women in research, train community members in CPR, organize local events and more.
In addition to performing impact activities, nominees and their impact teams will set a goal and work together to raise funds for the American Heart Association. Each activity and dollar raised gains the nominee ‘impact points’.
On World Health Day, April 7, 2022, the nominee whose team makes the largest impact and had the highest number of impact points will be named the South Central Pennsylvania Woman of Impact award winner. The winner and all of the nominees will be recognized for their efforts during the 2022 Capital Region Go Red for Women event set for Thursday, May 12 at the West Shore Country Club.
“This year’s Woman of Impact nominees have volunteered to dedicate their time and energy to spread the word of heart health through their respective networks. They’re already inspiring leaders and will use their influencing skills to motivate others to improve their health and raise funds to improve women’s heart health. We’re grateful for their time and talent,” said Wendy Oliver, regional vice president at Weis Markets and co-chair of the 2022 Capital Region Go Red for Women campaign. “The inaugural Woman of Impact class last year raised over $13,000. I’m really looking forward to see what this year’s group of nominees can achieve and how many women they can influence through the lifesaving Go Red for Women movement.”
Cardiovascular disease claims more women’s lives each year in the U.S. than all forms of cancer combined. While the majority of cardiac events can be prevented, cardiovascular disease continues to be a woman’s greatest health threat, taking the life of one in every three women.
For more information about the Capital Region Go Red for Women campaign, visit harrisburggored.heart.org or contact Kristie Davis at [email protected] or 717-730-1743.