CityView Magazine

40 | March/April 2015 RED giving BY BETH HARPER While thought of as a "man's disease," since 1984 more women than men have died each year from heart disease. In fact, only 54 percent of women recognize that heart disease is their number one killer, causing one in three deaths each year. That's approximately one woman every minute. A s disturbing as these sta- tistics may seem, aware- ness that heart disease is the leading cause of death in women has nearly doubled in this country over the last 15 years, accord- ing to the American Heart Association (AHA). However, our fight doesn't stop there. In 2004, the American Heart As- sociation decided enough was enough. Heart disease claims the lives of over 500,000 women nationwide. To dispel the myth and raise aware- ness of heart disease, the American Heart Association created Go Red for Women, "a passionate, emotional, social initiative designed to empower women to take charge of their heart health." Go Red for Women encourages women to band together to wipe out this deadly disease by raising awareness of the issue of women and heart disease and by pro- moting action to save more lives. Go Red for Women challenges wom- en to know their risk for heart disease and to take the necessary steps to re- duce their personal risk. So what does this mean for the Sandhills? e Go Red for Women Campaign of the Sandhills NC Region is on its 4th year encompassing Cumberland, Hoke, Moore, Harnett, Sampson, Bladen, Robeson, Scotland and Lee (Sanford) counties. ey are proud of the diverse group of passionate and committed women who serve as Go Red Ambas- sadors who, through Go Red, are able to share their stories while emphasiz- ing the importance of being aware and As the leading cause of death in women in the United States, it's time to take a stand against the stigmas associated with cardiovascular disease It's time to talk Rocky Harrigan & Tammy Thurman, current local co-chairs for Go Red for Women

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