SEATTLE - Thursday, January 12, 2023 —The American Heart Association has named four remarkable women who have experienced various forms of heart disease and stroke as local ambassadors for its Go Red for Women® movement in 2023. These survivors represent how cardiovascular disease, the leading killer of women, can strike women of all ethnicities and all stages of life. The 2023 Go Red for Women ambassadors are volunteers committed to sharing their personal stories to inspire others to make heart and brain health a priority.
Go Red for Women is a global movement by the American Heart Association to raise awareness about women’s leading health threat and provide resources to improve the cardiovascular health of women. While the majority of cardiac events can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle improvements and managing chronic conditions, cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 cause of death in women claiming the lives of 1 in 3 women.
Meet the 2023 Go Red for Women ambassadors:
Claire Verity. For Claire, advancing women’s heart health is personal; she lives with a condition called supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) that causes a faster than normal heart rate which can prevent proper blood flow to the body. She passionately advocates for women’s health by volunteering as a Go Red for Women ambassador and she serves as chair of the 2023 Go Red for Women movement and Women’s Health Council in Washington. As the President of Regence BlueShield, Claire believes that leaders have the responsibility to support the health of their community.
Jia Wu. Jia was in the prime of her career as an Army Captain in the military when she received shocking news: she was experiencing mini-strokes, Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA). She wasn’t aware of TIA, but she knew something wasn’t right when she felt tingling in her left arm and jumbled speech. After two brain surgeries and a diagnosis of a rare cerebrovascular disease that reduces blood flow to the brain (Moyamoya), 30-year-old Jia now prioritizes her health and mental well-being. She encourages other women to advocate for themselves by learning stroke warning signs, talking to their doctors about their unique risks and making lifestyle changes to prevent a stroke.
Maria Camilon-Price. Maria was diagnosed with a heart murmur as a teen. However, it wasn’t until she was pregnant with her second child that she started to have bouts of labored breathing and fainting. When a student found her slumped over at work, paramedics noticed she was experiencing Atrial Fibrillation (A-fib) due to a defective heart valve, causing an irregular and rapid heart rhythm. A procedure temporarily solved the problem, but in 2016 what she thought was a sinus infection was actually heart failure. Today, thanks to her loving family and medical breakthroughs that equipped her surgeon to repair her heart valve with Gore-Tex, Maria is doing well. She urges other moms to prioritize their health and advocates for early screening of congenital heart defects in babies.
Kyra Smithlin. Kyra knows the lifesaving importance of CPR and credits family members for springing into action. In December 2012, her heart stopped while she was at home. Her nine-year-old son dialed 911 and held the phone to his father’s ear while the dispatcher gave instructions for CPR. Kyra was taken to the hospital and was defibrillated an unbelievable 40 times. While her condition initially looked grim, Kyra’s son went to her bedside and told her to stay strong and she miraculously stabilized. Kyra later learned that she had noncompaction cardiomyopathy, a condition she was born with but had been unaware of. She had surgery to install a pacemaker and defibrillator to keep her heart rhythm stable.
Cardiovascular disease claims more women’s lives than all forms of cancer combined. The reality is currently, more than 44% of women ages 20 and older are living with some form of cardiovascular disease[i]. In addition, women account for more than 57% of total stroke deaths but also account for more than four million survivors over the age of 201.
To help raise awareness and support the Go Red for Women movement, the community is invited to participate during Go Red for Women’s icon day, National Wear Red Day on Friday, February 3, 2023, and the Puget Sound Go Red for Women event, Be the Beat: A Reimagined Go Red for Women Experience on March 2, 2023 at Block 41 in Seattle. Go Red for Women® is nationally sponsored by CVS Health and locally sponsored by Safeway Albertsons, Regence BlueShield of Washington and Optum Washington. Learn more at GoRedforWomen.org.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with the Washington office via heart.org/PugetSound, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram 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 17 years, 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:
Valerie Koch: valerie.koch@heart.org
Francesca Minas: Francesca.Minas@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
[i] Heart disease and stroke statistics—2022 update: a report from the American Heart Association [published online ahead of print Wednesday, January 26, 2022]. Circulation. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000001052