American Heart Association’s signature Go Red for Women Luncheon raises awareness and critical funds, while calling for action against health disparities
Providence, Rhode Island, March 7th, 2024— This year, more than 500 people dressed in red attended Southern New England’s annual Go Red for Women Luncheon to honor survivors, celebrate advancements in heart health and chart a new course toward a world free of cardiovascular disease, which claims the lives of 1 in 3 women.
Shiela Companie, Senior Vice President & General Manager at Amica Life Insurance Company, and Jessica Eldridge, Senior Vice President – Forensic Accounting Insurance Services at J.S. Held LLC, spearheaded the luncheon as co-chairs to celebrate the movement’s 20th anniversary.
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 toward health equity for women.
“I am honored to have been a co-chair for the 2024 Go Red for Women Luncheon,” shared Shiela Companie. “Knowing that issues related to cardiovascular health are the number one cause of death in women, I’m proud to be involved with Go Red as we make a difference for thousands of women.”
On February 9th, 2024, Go Red for Women Luncheon guests rallied at the heart-healthy event and raised over $480,000 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). Donations are still being accepted to help the Association reach its goal of $500,000. To donate visit heart.org/snegored.
“The Go Red for Women Luncheon highlights the issues involving women’s health,” stated Jessica Eldridge. “I am proud to have been a co-chair for the 2024 luncheon to educate and raise awareness to women’s heart health and celebrate all that the American Heart Association does!”
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.
“Whether it’s learning CPR, joining Research Goes Red, knowing your own risk factors, having an honest conversation with your doctor, or empowering another woman to prioritize her own health and well-being, there are so many ways to create a legacy of health in our families and our community,” said Frank Maher, Director of the Go Red for Women Campaign in Southern New England.
“Go Red for Women is here for women’s health and well-being at every age, stage and season of their lives,” he continued. “And by coming together and supporting the women in our community, we can make a lasting impact.”
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 and the Southern New England Go Red for Women Luncheon is locally sponsored by Amica, Amgen, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Care New England, Collette, FM Global, KPMG, Lifespan, NTT Data, RGA, Robinson + Cole, Verisk. Table Sponsors: AON, AAA Northeast, Beacon Mutual Insurance Company, Delta Dental of Rhode Island, Fidelity Investments, Hilb Group, Hope Global, JP Morgan Chase, Navigant Credit Union, Munich RE, Partridge Snow & Hahn LLP. Media Sponsors: 10 WJAR, iHeartMedia Providence, Montage Media, Providence Business News. For more information contact Frank Maher at [email protected] or visit www.heart.org/snegored.
Editors Note: Album of photos can be found here. Photo Credit: Onxymedia Studios
[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