DALLAS, August 17, 2021 — The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, announces the top four fundraisers of the Go Red for Women local Woman of Impact initiative. Jenna Bell and Ruth Rohs from Denver, CO; Barbara Peace from Fort Worth, TX; and Jessica Staggs from Dallas, TX collectively raised more than $200,000 to support the Association’s efforts to remove barriers and improve health for all.

Each of these women has been personally touched by heart disease. Bell, who is only in her 20s, had a heart transplant in 2020. Last year, Rohs lost her mom to cardiovascular disease. For Peace, the statistic that heart disease takes the lives of one in three women was her motivation to get involved as she is one of three sisters. And Staggs has a daughter, Adelyn, who has survived three open heart surgeries due to congenital birth defects, all before her third birthday.

According to Staggs, today, Adelyn is a thriving 7-year-old who enjoys singing, dancing, cheerleading, and participating in Girl Scouts. “I want to use my voice to raise awareness of heart health and create a future that provides the best medical support possible for my daughter,” Staggs said.

These local women were among over 450 nominated by their peers across the country to participate in the 8-week Woman of Impact initiative. The nominees recruit champions from their networks to form an Impact Team and have a direct influence on women’s health through the Go Red for Women movement.  The nominee whose team makes the largest impact in each market is named the local Woman of Impact Award Winner.

As well as fundraising, the women collaborate with their community leaders to remove barriers to equitable health, educate women in how to get and stay healthy, and to drive change, because losing one woman to heart disease is one too many.

Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States, claiming more lives each year than all forms of cancer combined. While the majority of cardiovascular diseases can be prevented, they continue to be a woman’s greatest health threat, taking the life of one in every three women.

In their inaugural year, the Woman of Impact and Teen of Impact initiatives together generated more than $2 million in lifesaving funds by nominating 450-plus individuals nationwide to engage their personal networks in raising awareness and raising critical funds for continued research.

For more information on Woman of Impact, visit Heart.org and contact your local American Heart Association office.

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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 18 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:

Tim Stergiou-Allen: Tim.Stergiou-Allen@heart.org; 561-706-0992