Pastor’s story takes center stage at Milwaukee’s 2023 Go Red for Women Luncheon
MILWAUKEE, WI- More than a decade ago, Pastor Veloris Mann found herself facing a precarious health issue, that had it gone unchecked, likely would have ended her life.
But Mann persistently followed her instinct to get checked out, and when her doctor eventually gave her the diagnosis – that she had two major blockages in her heart – she quickly underwent a triple-bypass surgery. Today, she continues to tell her amazing story.
Mann will share that journey as the keynote speaker at the upcoming 2023 Milwaukee American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Luncheon on Friday, May 12, at The Pfister Hotel. Mann is the chaplaincy program coordinator for the Milwaukee Salvation Army.
There are many messages about her story that Mann intends to share with the crowd in attendance, the first among them is to advocate for your own health until somebody listens.
“I wouldn’t be here (if I didn’t do that),” she said. “You know your body. You find somebody that’s going to listen to you. You do not give up at all because you have good doctors and you have bad doctors, you know, those that just want to generalize you and put you in a category.
“Then you have the ones who really take the time out to really try to say, you know, ‘Hey every person is not a textbook. Some people are rare, and at 39 years old, she may be having a heart attack.”
This year’s theme is “Be the Beat,” and new this year is a Women’s Health Expo that runs from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The 2023 Women of Impact winner also will be announced, and visitors can bid on themed purses and bags during a “Purse-Anality” auction.
Dr. Patty Golden, clinical president of Ascension Medical Group Wisconsin is this year’s luncheon chair.
“One in three women are dying of cardiovascular disease and losing one woman isn’t an option,” Golden said. “And that is why I am chairing the 2023 Milwaukee Go Red for Women campaign.
“I have a strong family history of cardiovascular disease, and I recently lost my father to sudden cardiac arrest due to his history of atrial fibrillation. This motivates me to work in his honor to further the mission of the American Heart Association. And through Go Red for Women, I am dedicated to reaching more women to empower them to take control of their health. And when women come together, there isn’t anything we can’t achieve.”
Cardiovascular disease continues to be the No. 1 killer among women, according to the American Heart Association, and claims more women’s lives than all cancers combined. Heart disease also is the No. 1 killer of new mothers.
Other key numbers paint an even scarier picture:
- Nearly 60% of stroke deaths are in women, and each year, 55,000 more females than males suffer a stroke.
- The majority of deaths from high blood pressure are in women, at nearly 52%.
- Women in their 30s and 40s are more than twice as likely to die from cardiovascular disease than cancer.
- Women are less likely to receive bystander CPR partly because people fear accusations of inapproUnlinkpriate touching, sexual assault or injuring the person.
For more information about the Go Red for Women Luncheon or to purchase tickets, visit www.heart.org/goredmilwaukee or email Bethany.Klein@heart.org.
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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 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 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 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, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
Media Contact:
Dan Truttschel, Marketing Communications Director, daniel.truttschel@heart.org.
