CHICAGO – The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, announces Diana Kunz as the community volunteer chair of the 2022-2023 Chicago-area Go Red for Women movement. Kunz currently serves as the deputy national audit industry leader – banking and capital markets at KPMG. Go Red for Women is a worldwide initiative of the American Heart Association designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women locally, nationally, and globally.  

Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States, claiming more lives each year than all forms of cancer combined. Cardiovascular disease continues to be a woman’s greatest health threat, taking the life of one in every three women. In Chicago alone, the life expectancy gap between the city’s downtown Streeterville area and the South Side neighborhood of Englewood is 30 years. This discrepancy is due in part to high rates of cardiovascular disease, which can be exacerbated by social and economic factors like stress, low income and lack of access to healthy foods.

“The American Heart Association has done incredible work promoting heart health, as well as greater public health in the City of Chicago,” said Kunz. “I look forward to collaborating with the American Heart Association alongside many other community leaders in the charge to drive change in health outcomes for women.”

Throughout the 2022-2023 year, Go Red for Women will focus on community and physician education about heart health, interventions to improve health care for women and raising survival rates for women experiencing cardiac events. The year’s programming will encourage women, especially in Black and Hispanic-Latino communities, to learn hands-only CPR to boost health outcomes on Chicago’s South and West Sides. The American Heart Association’s efforts on the South and West Sides also include installing self-monitoring blood pressure kiosks in key community locations, bringing healthier food options to neighborhoods and increasing heart health education for community members. Go Red for Women in Chicago will also continue its work to encourage more high school-aged girls to enter the STEM fields with its STEM Goes Red programming and “Girls with Heart” scholarships.

“For years, as a member of the Chicago Heart Ball board, Diana has shown a commitment to the American Heart Association’s goals and mission in Chicago and beyond. Now as she steps into this new role with Go Red for Women, there is no doubt that her impact and influence will be felt as she inspires and serves our amazing community of women throughout Chicago,” said Brittany Walsh, executive director of the American Heart Association, Chicago.

Returning this year to Go Red for Women in Chicago is the Women of Impact initiative. Each year, women are nominated by their peers to participate. As part of this nine-week campaign, the nominees will recruit champions from their networks to form a fundraising team and have a direct impact on women’s health and the Go Red for Women vision of creating a passionate community dedicated to addressing health issues unique to women. The nominee whose team makes the largest impact in each market will be named the local Woman of Impact Award Winner. The campaign begins on Wear Red Day, Feb. 3, and will culminate in April.

This year’s Go Red for Women movement and its local achievements will be celebrated on Feb. 24, 2023, at the Chicago Go Red for Women Luncheon, sponsored by KPMG, Dover Corporation, Ariel Investments and Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

For more information about Go Red for Women visit https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/ or call (312) 346-4675.

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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 nearly 80 percent 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 19 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). 

About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

For Media Inquiries
Jorie Goins: 312.476.6604; jorie.goins@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org