Dress Up and Go Red for Women

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- The American Heart Association has once again teamed up with Montgomery County and Northwest Harris County to host their second annual Go Red For Women Luncheon. The luncheon will take place on May 14, 2010 at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott and will raise awareness for women and heart disease.

"Too few women realize that heart disease is their No. 1 killer," says Jill Barber, co-chair for the 2010 luncheon. "But the good news is that heart disease can largely be prevented. For that reason, the Go Red For Women movement encourages women to improve their heart health while taking action to fight women's heart disease."

Since 2004, the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women campaign has captured the energy, passion, and intelligence of women to work collectively to wipe out heart disease. The purpose of the movement is for millions of women across America to take heart disease personally. Using the simple platform 'Love Your Heart,' Go Red for Women engages these women - and the men who love them - to embrace the cause. While awareness is important, it is critical that women visit healthcare professionals regularly for check ups and discussion of personal medical history and risk factors or visit the Go Red Heart Checkup available at the link below.

The Go Red For Women Luncheon will begin at 10 a.m. with a "Purse-onality" purse auction and shopping at various vendors. After guests have shopped 'til they dropped, Llona Carson of KTRK-TV ABC13 will kick off the luncheon as the master of ceremonies and women from the two counties will laugh and listen to speaker Diana Jordan, healthcare humorist and stand up comedian. The Go Red for Women Luncheon unites the two communities to raise awareness for heart disease and stroke and to charge women with the responsibility of loving their hearts.

"60% of those victims that die from a stroke are women and more than one in three women have some form of cardiovascular disease," announces Sharla Shumaker, co-chair for the 2010 luncheon and Director of the Heart and Vascular Institute at Conroe Regional Medical Center, presenting sponsor of the Montgomery/Northwest Harris County luncheon. "The Go Red For Women movement is a way to raise awareness with women in our communities and provide the tools and information they need to protect themselves and their families. When women learn to love their hearts, they also learn to appreciate their health, their lives, and the health of their loved ones."

The Luncheon also honors community members who have joined "Circle of Red." Circle of Red is an elite group of women and men who have the desire, influence and resources to significantly impact the community by providing a personal commitment to help find a cure for the number one killer of women. The 2010 Circle of Red members include Beth Eaton, Bridget Buck, Darliss Fuller, Marilyn Carson, Melanie Stichler, and Suzanne Ellis. Becoming a Circle of Red member requires a commitment of $1,000, which may be provided all at once or over time. Membership includes VIP benefits for luncheons and other events.

Dress Up & Go Red at this year's luncheon and have a great time!

The luncheon committee is currently seeking sponsors, purse-onality purse donors, volunteers, and participants. Individual tickets are $100. For more information, contact Lisa Roeder or Megan Crawford at the American Heart Association at 713 610-5000.