The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, announced the 2021 York/Adams Go Red for Women event will transform into a free digital experience to support the fight to end heart disease and stroke. This premier event will be held online using Zoom on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 5:30 p.m. and is designed to raise awareness of the number one killer of women: cardiovascular disease. The event is co-chaired by Mary Winand, client services associate at The Financial Advisory Group, and Lisa Duffy, director of marketing and development at UPMC Hanover. The York/Adams Go Red for Women digital experience is sponsored nationally by CVS Health and locally by WellSpan Health, York Traditions Bank, UPMC and other supporters.
Mary Winand, 2021 York/Adams Go Red for Women co-chair
Lisa Duffy, 2021 York/Adams Go Red for Women co-chair
With the evolving impact of coronavirus in communities across the country, many women are facing new challenges keeping them from their day-to-day activities. Go Red for Women® events nationwide moved digital to support women where they are and continue to spotlight the lifesaving work of the Association and the Go Red for Women movement. These signature events will be held as a virtual gathering, to prioritize the safety and well-being of guests and families during the COVID-19 public health crisis.
The York/Adams Go Red for Women digital experience will be hosted by Lori Burkholder of WGAL. The event will include presentations from women’s health experts at WellSpan Health and UPMC, and the stories of seven local survivors of all ages. Guests will have the opportunity to support the American Heart Association by YORKADAMSGORED to 41444 during the event, and by participating in the online silent auction. The silent auction will open prior to the event on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 8 a.m. and close just as the digital experience begins on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 5:30 p.m. More information about registering for the digital experience and silent auction is available at heart.org/yorkpagored.
While nearly 80 percent of cardiac events may be prevented, cardiovascular disease continues to be a woman’s greatest health threat. One in three women live with some form of cardiovascular disease. To prevent cardiovascular disease, women should understand family health history, know their numbers and make lifestyle changes like moving more, eating smart and managing their blood pressure. Risk factors that are within women’s control include smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, poor diet, obesity/overweight and diabetes.
Go Red for Women is rooted in raising awareness among women that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women around the world. Heart disease is not just a problem for “older” men. Heart disease and stroke can affect a woman at any age. Research shows heart attacks are on the rise in younger women. Considerable progress has been made by the Association to increase awareness in 17 years, reaching tens of millions of women and health care professionals with lifesaving resources.
New findings from an American Heart Association special report published in September 2020 analyzing 10-year trends in women’s awareness that cardiovascular disease is their greatest health threat, show critical gaps in awareness among younger women. The trend is prevalent in women ages 25-34 and Black and Hispanics of all ages. There is an urgent need for public health organizations, government, health care professionals and community organizations to join forces and provide solutions to improve awareness, especially among young women and Black and Hispanic women.
Women continue to be disproportionally affected by cardiovascular diseases and underrepresented in clinical trials which is the lifesaving research needed to better treat heart attacks and strokes. There is considerably more understanding of the biological differences between men and women including disease progression and treatment response. While strides have been made to close gender and racial disparities in research and within the health care system, women continue to be underrepresented and overlooked in the U.S. and globally. To combat this, the American Heart Association and Verily’s Project Baseline launched Research Goes RedTM to encourage women to sign up and participate in clinical trials.
For more information on the York/Adams Go Red for Women digital experience, visit heart.org/yorkpagored. Learn more about Go Red for Women at goredforwomen.org.