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Community Corner

Inland Empire Go Red For Women Luncheon raises $90,000

More than 200 community leaders came together to celebrate heart health at the Inland Empire Go Red For Women Luncheon held in February at Crestmore Manor in Jurupa Valley. The event raised $90,000 for the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Go Red For Women campaign aimed at bringing attention to heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women.

 

This year’s event was co-chaired by Dr. Dan Miulli, attending neurosurgeon at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, and his wife Sandy, founder of Helping Those In Need, which provides assistance to children in India; and Dr. Anthony Hilliard, interventional cardiologist at Loma Linda University, and his wife Tammy, a counselor and educator.

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Sarah Ortega, the passion speaker, took guests back to 2012 when she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and an enlarged heart. “In my mind, I was going to die,” said the wife and mother of three from Alta Loma. “My husband would have to raise our children alone, my parents were going to lose a daughter, and my babies would never understand why they had to grow up and live the rest of their lives without their mom. I’ll never see them reach important milestones like going to prom, graduating from high school, or getting married. I’d never get the chance to meet my future grandchildren. How could this all be ripped out of my hands before I even got near it?”

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Today, Sarah wears a pacemaker to keep her heart in a normal rhythm and will likely need a heart transplant within the next five years. “These past couple of years has been very hard but knowing that there is an organization like the American Heart Association working to assist those of us who have suffered from heart disease or stroke, makes me hopeful that I will live a full and high quality life.”

 

Dr. Warren Peters, Director of Loma Linda University’s Center for Health Promotion, delivered the keynote address, where he talked about the growing problem of addiction to sugar and starch, which contributes to obesity and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. “We all have to be activists and use our money. Just don’t buy the stuff. The industry is not going to self-discipline. We are going to have to do it ourselves. In your own home and in your own way, use these starches and sugars as infrequently as possible,” Peters said.

 

During the program, two individuals received the Lifestyle Change Award sponsored by San Antonio Community Hospital. Theresa Palencia, a wife and mother of two, and Telecia Cooke, business owner and mother of three, were recognized for making lifestyle changes that positively impacted their health. Palencia lost more than 100 lbs. and Cooke shed 80 lbs. as a result of their efforts.

 

Fitness expert Maria Simon, national spokesperson of the American Heart Association’s Go Red Por Tu Corazon (Go Red For Your Heart) campaign, joined as the event emcee. At one point during the program, she got everyone’s heart pumping by leading guests in a short Zumba break.

 

Before the luncheon got underway, guests bid on silent auction items, took pictures with friends at the photo booth and attended educational breakout sessions.

The first session was led by Dr. Columbus Batiste, chief of cardiology at Kaiser Permanente in Riverside, who shared four keys to keeping a woman’s heart happy – protection from risks such as lack of awareness and action, exercise, nutrition and stress reduction.

 

Dr. Dan Miulli, attending neurosurgeon at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and president of the AHA Inland Empire Division, talked about stroke. He explained the new stroke guidelines for women and shared tips to keep the brain healthy.

 

Leigh Hutchins, president of North American Medical Management and PrimeCare, will chair the next Go Red For Women Luncheon in February 2015.

 

The Go Red For Women Luncheon is supported by national sponsor Macy’s and local sponsors Loma Linda University and Desert Valley Hospital.

 

Go Red For Women gives women a fighting chance against heart disease by helping them understand their common killer, take action, and be the difference between life and death. It offers educational programs to advance women’s understanding of their risk for heart disease and provides tools to help women live healthier, stronger lives. For more information, visit www.GoRedForWomen.org.

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About Go Red For Women

Go Red For Women is the American Heart Association’s national movement, created by women, for women, dedicated to uncovering the truth about women and heart disease: heart disease can kill you or a woman you love.  With more women dying of cardiovascular disease than the next three causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer, we are committed to fighting this No. 1 killer that is preventable. GoRedForWomen.org, a premier source of information and education, connects millions of women of all ages and gives them tangible resources to turn personal choices into life-saving actions. We encourage women and the men who love them to embrace the cause. For more information please visit GoRedForWomen.org or call 1-888-MY-HEART (1-888-694-3278). The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement is nationally sponsored by Macy’s.

 

About the American Heart Association 
The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – America’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers. 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 join us, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or any of our offices around the country, or visit heart.org.

 

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