ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico, Feb. 16, 2023 – Suzanne Mirabal, senior vice president and commercial team lead at Sunflower Bank First National 1870, is back as co-chairperson of the 2022-23 New Mexico area Go Red for Women® movement, joined by Clear Channel Outdoor Marketing Manager/Vice President of Sales – Albuquerque Brenda Begley.
Their duties culminate in the New Mexico Go Red for Women Luncheon, set for Feb. 22 at Hotel Albuquerque. The luncheon is expected to draw about 650 women and raise $300,000 for awareness for hypertension, or high blood pressure, and maternal health. Keynote speaker is inspirational speaker Mary Jury, whose husband lost his sister to a heart attack. The theme is “Be the Beat,” which plays on the importance of knowing CPR.
Go Red for Women is an initiative of the American Heart Association, devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, 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. Heart disease and stroke continue to be New Mexico women’s greatest health threat. It opened my eyes to the realization that women are often misdiagnosed, many times the results having devastating consequences.
Begley, who has attended past luncheons and whose company has been a sponsor, said she has always feared for the health outcomes for the men in her life, but gave little thought to her own – until she got involved with the American Heart Association.
“For years I watched my father struggle with heart disease, surviving heart attacks and a quadruple bypass,” Begley said. “After each episode there was no change in his health habits. I experienced a similar situation with my father-in-law, who asked to stop at Arby’s on the way home from the hospital after having undergone quadruple bypass surgery.” While attending her first Go Red for Women Luncheon, “it opened my eyes to the realization that women are often misdiagnosed, many times the results having devastating consequences.”
“As many women do, I too, put my health aside to take care of others,” Begley said.
She had a hemorrhagic stroke and discovered that high blood pressure had been a contributor, though she didn’t realize it at the time. She backs the Go Red for Women movement for future generations in her family.
“Hopefully my daughters and granddaughters will reap the benefits of more women specific heart health studies and that all women will be treated with the same sense of urgency men are when it comes to heart health,” Begley added.
In her second year as co-chairperson, Mirabal said she will continue creating awareness around women’s risk for cardiovascular disease. Her grandmother suffered a stroke and later succumbed to heart disease at age 69. This year, she is motivated by a close family friend who recently discovered she was born with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, an extra signaling pathway between the heart's upper and lower chambers causes a fast heartbeat, also known as tachycardia.
The WPW was discovered during routine screening for the woman, Claudia Powell, to become a bone marrow donor. Until then, she thought her racing heart was “normal,” said Mirabal.
“Claudia’s health is monitored closely so she can continue to live a healthy life,” Mirabal said. “Because of Claudia’s ‘big heart’ to be a donor [and thus, the tachycardia was discovered], her own heart continues to beat strongly. Awareness is critical.”
Go Red for Women is nationally sponsored by CVS Health and presented locally by Life is Why sponsor Delta Dental; Fashion Show sponsor Loveless Health System; Red Dress sponsor Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico; Gratitude sponsor PNM; Healthy Pantries sponsor Western Sky Community Care; and local sponsors Bradbury Stamm, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Albuquerque, Fidelity and US Eagle. Media support comes from Albuquerque Business First, Clear Channel Outdoor, KRQE/CW New Mexico, Magic 99.5 and Sunny 505.
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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 us on heart.org, Facebook or Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
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