Anchorage, Alaska, Jan. 22, 2025 – The American Heart Association announced four Alaskan women, each with personal connections to heart disease and stroke, as 2025 Anchorage Go Red for Women ambassadors. This year’s ambassador class includes atrial fibrillation survivor Beverly Peterson, heart disease survivor Evie Wallace, women’s health advocate Grace Greene and stroke survivor Leslie Cayco-Travis, DO. 

Throughout 2025, they will serve as the faces of Go Red for Women in the greater Anchorage community, sharing their stories and insights to increase awareness and understanding of cardiovascular disease and stroke, which are leading killers of women in the U.S. and Alaska.

Despite the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, women remain underdiagnosed and undertreated.  Research has shown that the majority of cardiovascular events can be prevented through increased awareness and lifestyle changes. Go Red for Women was launched more than two decades ago with the intent of serving as a catalyst for change to improve the health of women, spreading awareness and championing the voices of women. 

Meet the 2025 Anchorage Go Red for Women ambassadors:

Beverly Peterson, atrial fibrillation survivor – In 2011, Beverly was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib) but was largely able to carry on with her normal life. Then, in 2023, she started feeling tired all the time and ended up in the emergency room due to a heartrate that was off the charts. Beverly underwent an ablation procedure in February 2024, during which it was discovered she was experiencing congestive heart failure (CHF). To manage it, she did cardiac rehab and now takes medication, monitors her blood pressure and focuses on eating well and being physically active. Beverly believes it’s important to share health experiences with fellow women to help grow awareness and understanding.

Evie Wallace, heart disease survivor – In 2022, Evie started to feel unusually winded, sweaty and pained during standard activities, such as getting ready in the morning, sitting at her desk job and playing darts. While exercising on the treadmill or stationary bike, she would experience so much pain she had to stop. In May 2023, she decided to figure out what was going on. An electrocardiogram and exploratory procedure revealed blockages in her heart. The overheating, sweatiness and pain she had been experiencing were mini heart attacks. Evie underwent triple bypass heart surgery that lasted more than 10 hours, after which she was supposed to be released from the hospital within two days. However, after a week in the hospital following surgery, she was medevacked to a facility out of state to treat complications. She was in the hospital for one month and had a defibrillator placed before being discharged. As someone who never imagined such a health event could happen to her, Evie wants other women to learn from her experience and push for the right medical help if their body doesn’t feel right, especially with the higher rates of undiagnosed and untreated heart disease among Native American/Alaska Native adults.

Grace Greene, women’s health advocate – As the chief executive officer of LifeMed Alaska, a medical transportation company, and the 2025 Anchorage Go Red for Women chairperson, Grace is passionate about championing health for everyone, everywhere. Women’s heart health became particularly personal for her when her mother was diagnosed with an arrhythmia, which required multiple treatments and served as a catalyst for Grace to get more involved with advocating for and supporting women’s heart and brain health. She wants fellow women to constantly learn, be aware and ask questions about their health, especially if things feel off. 

Leslie Cayco-Travis, DO, stroke survivor – It was a chilly, sunny morning in March 2023. Leslie had the day off work, so she did a workout on her stationary bike at home and then chaperoned her children’s field trip to the performing arts center. While in the parked bus about to return to her children’s school, she experienced the worst headache of her life and dangerously high blood pressure. After arrival to the emergency room by ambulance, they discovered she had a hemorrhagic stroke from a ruptured brain aneurysm. She required out of state transport, emergent surgery, hospitalization for more than four weeks, as well as inpatient rehabilitation. Leslie wants women to learn the signs and symptoms of stroke and how to act quickly if they experience them.

To help raise awareness and show support for the Go Red for Women movement, the community is invited to wear red on National Wear Red Day, Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. The movement will celebrate its impact locally at the Anchorage Go Red for Women Luncheon on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at the Dena’ina Center with a keynote from Jude Maboné, who served as Miss District of Columbia and is a heart attack survivor and advocate. 

The Anchorage Go Red for Women movement is sponsored nationally by CVS Health, locally presented by Providence Alaska and locally supported by Live Fierce, End Tobacco and Vaping sponsor Alaska Heart & Vascular Institute and Live Fierce, Take Action sponsor LifeMed Alaska. More information is at heart.org/anchoragegored.

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About the American Heart Association 
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with the American Heart Association in Alaska on heart.org/Alaska, Facebook, Instagram, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. 

About Go Red for Women®
The American Heart Association’s signature initiative, Go Red for Women®, is a comprehensive platform designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women globally. While the majority of cardiac events can be prevented, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, claiming the lives of 1 in 3 women. For more than two decades, Go Red for Women has encouraged awareness. The movement harnesses the energy, passion and power of women to band together and collectively wipe out heart disease. It challenges them to know their risk for heart disease and take action to reduce their personal risk. It also gives them tools they need to lead a heart healthy life. The Go Red for Women movement is nationally sponsored by CVS Health, with additional support from national cause supporters. For more information, please visit GoRedforWomen.org or call 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721).

For media inquiries: 

Lily Gordon, lily.gordon@heart.org  
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org