SEATTLE, January 6, 2025 —The American Heart Association has named five women with personal connections to heart disease and stroke as 2025 Washington ambassadors for Go Red for Women, the Association’s movement to end cardiovascular disease in women. The 2025 ambassadors are: stroke survivor Cynthia Granada; cardiologist Ruchi Kapoor, M.D., Ph.D.; cardiac arrest survivor Carla McCubbin; mom of a child with a heart defect Lee McGrath; and heart transplant recipient Macey Wright.
The women will serve as the face of Go Red for Women in Washington and share their personal stories and insights to elevate awareness and understanding about cardiovascular disease, the leading killer of women in the United States.
“Since it launched in 2004, Go Red for Women has greatly elevated women’s awareness about the threat of heart disease and stroke,” said Dr. Ruchi Kapoor, a cardiologist with UW Medicine and board member for the American Heart Association, Puget Sound. “We also want women to realize that most forms of heart disease and stroke are preventable. We hope to inspire women to understand their risks, take action to reduce risk and be aware of the warning signs.”
Each Go Red for Women ambassador brings a personal connection to cardiovascular disease and is volunteering her time to foster connections with other women.
Cynthia Granada, stroke at age 44. Granada was working from home in 2022 and was attending an online training when her left arm went numb and weak. Thinking she was having a heart attack, Granada called her husband and told him they needed to go to the emergency room. The hospital team performed a bunch of tests and as the minutes ticked by, the numbness in Granada’s arm progressed to her leg and eventually her face. In time, she was told she was having a stroke and the medical team asked Granada if she wanted to receive a clot-busting medication. Despite the risks, she quickly said yes and the drug was able to reverse the effects of the stroke. From this experience, Granada encourages women to seek medical attention immediately if they feel like something is wrong.
Ruchi Kapoor, M.D., Ph.D., heart health expert. Dr. Kapoor is a cardiologist and volunteer for the American Heart Association Puget Sound, lending her expertise as a local board member, advocate, volunteer expert and speaker. As a cardiologist, her interests are heart disease prevention, women’s heart health and cardio-oncology. In her clinical practice and as an advocate for women’s health, Dr. Kapoor emphasizes the need to improve awareness among women about heart disease warning signs as well as improving knowledge about heart disease in women with medical providers.
Carla McCubbin, cardiac arrest survivor. McCubbin was enjoying a stay with family members on Hat Island near Everett in 2020 when her heart stopped and she collapsed. Her mother-in-law quickly went into action and provided CPR. Being in a remote location, it took 20 minutes for volunteer paramedics to arrive with a defibrillator. McCubbin’s husband, a former EMT, used the defibrillator to restart her heart. The 49-year-old mom, wife and middle school teacher says it was a miracle she survived the ordeal. She was airlifted to a hospital and received an internal pacemaker/defibrillator to keep her heart beating normally. In 2022, McCubbin was back on Hat Island when it happened again, but this time the internal defibrillator did its job and shocked her heart back into rhythm. McCubbin shares her journey to illustrate the need for everyone to learn lifesaving CPR because you never know when you may need to act in an emergency.
Lee McGrath, heart mom and chairperson, Go Red for Women. As chairperson for the 2025 Go Red for Women movement in the Puget Sound, Lee McGrath hopes to build on the sisterhood of Go Red and help women feel supported in their pursuit of better cardiovascular health. This executive vice president of health care services at Premera Blue Cross is also motivated by personal experience. When her son was five years old, he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. “Learning this was devastating and as a parent you feel so alone,” said McGrath. “I don’t want any family, any mother, to feel this way.” Connection is at the heart of her leadership role for Go Red. McGrath’s vision is to build communities that foster better health and wellbeing for all, including underserved communities, and to drive change and improve health through our workplaces and personal connections.
Macey Wright, congenital heart defect and heart transplant. Wright was born with both aortic and mitral valve stenosis, but heart valves that didn’t work properly did not stop her from excelling at gymnastics. At age 14, however, her heart was beyond repair and she had to give up the sport she loved. It was determined that Wright needed a heart transplant and in 2016 she received her new heart. Since then, she has been a strong advocate and volunteer for the American Heart Association. Wright’s health experience showed her firsthand the importance of scientific advances and it prompted her to pursue a degree in biology from the University of Puget Sound, where she graduated last year. For Wright, reaching big milestones like graduation and starting her first career are especially meaningful and indicative of her journey. It’s important to Wright that women know that heart disease is their largest health threat and it can impact anyone, even young women.
The 2025 Go Red for Women ambassadors invite women in the community to join them in wearing red to raise awareness on National Wear Red Day, Friday, February 7, 2025. On Wear Red Day, everyone is asked to put on a splash of red to remind women that heart disease is preventable and beatable. The American Heart Association urges women to understand their family health history, know their health numbers and make healthy behavior changes. Learn more at GoRedforWomen.org.
Go Red for Women is nationally sponsored by CVS Health, and locally supported by Optum Care Washington, MultiCare Health System, Premera Blue Cross and Cambia Health Foundation.
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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 us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. In Washington, visit heart.org/Washington, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram or X.
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).
Media Contacts:
Valerie Koch, valerie.koch@heart.org
Francesca Minas, francesca.minas@heart.org