Local Changemakers Lead Effort to Fight # 1 Killer

WESTCHESTER – To kick off February as American Heart Month, five Westchester County women are joining the American Heart Association to fight their number one health threat, cardiovascular disease (CVD) through the Woman of Impact initiative. Woman of Impact is an extension of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women® movement, a comprehensive platform designed more than two decades ago to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women globally. This year’s Woman of Impact class will work from February 2 to April 4 to raise funds to support research and education to better identify, diagnose, treat and prevent CVD in women.

Women experience unique life stages that can increase their risk of developing CVD over the course of their lifetime. In fact, CVD is the number one killer of new moms as the leading case of maternal mortality.[1] The good news is, the majority of cardiovascular events can be prevented with lifestyle changes and education which is the foundation of the Association’s Go Red for Women movement.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in women, claiming more lives than all cancers combined, it’s vital for all women to take charge of their heart health and encourage others to do the same. Nearly 45% of women over age 20 are living with some form of CVD[2]. Women need to raise their voices and make sure all Westchester women know how to take steps now to protect our hearts later.

Woman of Impact, a nationwide initiative, launched in more than 100 cities across the country on National Wear Red Day, February 2. At the start of the campaign, hundreds of nominees nationwide embark on a nine-week journey to help transform the health of women through education and fundraising. Each week, nominees participate in activities designed to create a culture of wellness and advance health equity. Activities may include educational events, learning and spreading the word about CPR, getting physically active, recruiting women to participate in research and more. Nominees also raise critical funds for the Westchester County American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement.

Westchester’s 2024 Woman of Impact Nominees are:
* Dana Colasante – Port Chester, NY; Project ADAM NY
* Christina Collins – Mount Kisco, NY; NeverStopMoving365
* Marla Koroly – Somers, NY; Northwell Health Physician Partners
* Alice Schoen – Rye Brook, NY; Project ADAM NY
* Betty Wu – Old Greenwich, NY; Franklin Templeton Investments

On April 4, one nominee will be named the Westchester County 2024 Woman of Impact Winner. In addition to local market winners, one nominee from across the country will be named the National Woman of Impact Winner.

While the large majority of cardiac events can be prevented, cardiovascular disease continues to take the life of 1 in 3 women.