Syracuse’s ‘Go Red for Women’ Hopes to Raise $400,000 Syracuse's 'Go Red for Women' Hopes to Raise $400,000

The event drew hundreds with the goal of raising awareness about heart disease.

The Oncenter flooded with red today as people looked to learn about the number one killer in women. Although 80-percent of heart disease is preventable, one in every three people will die from it. Today’s event has a new meaning for Melissa Barry, who survived a battle against her own heart.

“I was actually born with a congenital heart defect, and I started having problems in my 20s and was hospitalized and went through all kinds of testing. The same defect was later found in my father. His went undiagnosed until he had a stroke. And that is what that defect does. It shows up when you have a stroke.”

People are advised to get their blood pressure and cholesterol checked routinely, because there are many symptoms of heart disease that are unrelated to chest pain. Events like these are aimed to give awareness to the symptoms, so the hundreds of people in attendance can check in with their loved ones.

“It’s huge. You hear all the time about people who don’t feel well and it’s their FRIENDS who force them to go see a doctor.”

The American Heart Association says that 64-percent of women who die from heart disease had no warning signs. One regular attendee of this event felt her connection to the cause was too personal for her to not take a more active role.

“It means everything to me. My whole family had issues with their heart or stroke. Last year we came to this event as guests and I ended up being on the Executive leadership team because it was that important for me to do.”

“The goal of the American Heart Association today is to raise nearly 400,000 dollars to bring awareness and more research to heart health. They say to keep your heart healthy you should exercise daily and avoid a high fat intake. In Syracuse, I’m Kelly Murphy, NCC News.”

The last Thursday of October, the American Heart Association held their 15th annual ‘Go Red for Women’ Event in Syracuse. Hundreds of men and women piled in, dressed in red, to raise awareness for heart disease prevention. Guests were greeted by ‘paparazzi’ upon arrival, a red carpet and a step and repeat. Everyone was all smiles as red drinks were being passed around and people were ushered into a second room where there were information tables, a silent disco, a chef preparing ‘heart healthy foods’ and blood pressures tests.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States. According to the American Heart Association, one woman dies of cardiovascular disease every 80 seconds, but 80 percent of cardiovascular disease is preventable. That is why events such as this one are so important. Attendees can get educated on this topic, while having an absolute blast.

“It’s huge. You hear all the time about people who don’t feel well and it’s their friends who push them to see a doctor, so the 700 people in here have plenty of friends and family they can educate,” said Melissa Barry, an Online Strategies Consultant at the event.

64 percent of women who die from coronary disease had no warning signs, according to the American Heart Association. This is partly because there are numerous symptoms of heart disease that are completely unrelated to chest pain. In order to stay safe, people are advised to get their blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose checked regularly by a doctor. In addition to being physically active and eating healthy.

Symptoms that are unrelated to chest pain include:
– Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort
– Shortness of breath
– Right arm pain
– Nausea or vomiting
– Sweating
– Lightheadedness, dizziness
– Unusual fatigue

Steps to preventing heart disease.
Guideline to heart disease prevention.
© 2013 American Heart Association

To conclude the ‘Go Red for Women’ event, attendees gathered around numerous round tables and were served lunch. As they ate they listened to guest speakers talk about how heart disease has impacted them, how to prevent it and received messages of overall empowerment. Heart disease may be the number one killer of women in America, but through education and awareness it does not have to be.

The goal of the event was to raise nearly $400,000 to go towards research of the disease. To learn more about the cause and ways to get involved in the Syracuse area, visit the American Heart Association Syracuse website.

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Kelly Murphy

Kelly Murphy is a Senior student at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. She is a Broadcast and Digital Journalism major and a Sport Management Minor. Recently, she worked at SiriusXM in NYC as a Sports Programming Intern.

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