Twelve selected as 2014 Go Red Leading Ladies

Date: 2/5/2014

SPRINGFIELD – The American Heart Association (AHA) recently hosted a search to find inspirational women to become the next Go Red Leading Ladies of Western Massachusetts.

Dozens of women were nominated and 12 were selected to become Go Red ambassadors in their community as well as to be featured in a poster campaign. The women were chosen based on their commitment, support and experience with heart disease.

All of the 2014 Go Red Leading Ladies participated in a professional photo shoot and are now featured on a poster that will travel throughout Western Massachusetts bringing attention to the leading cause of death in women – heart disease The names of the ladies and the poster were recently unveiled at a special ceremony which recently took place at the Basketball Hall of Fame.

“This is our seventh year doing this poster to raise awareness of heart disease in women and each year we have the most amazing group of women,” AHA Director of Communications, Mary Ann Burns, said. “Some women are heart or stroke survivors; others have made changes in their lives to become more heart healthy, inspire other women or just simply understand her risk for heart disease and are taking steps to become more heart healthy.”

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women, yet most women do not know that it is mostly preventable. The Go Red Leading Ladies poster will travel throughout Western Massachusetts over the next 12 months raising awareness so women may learn and live. Some of the Leading Ladies will also raise awareness of women’s heart health by attending or volunteering at local Go Red For Women events.

The 12 women live or work in Western Massachusetts and range from moms to entrepreneurs, health care specialists, heart survivors, retirees, and business leaders.

The American Heart Association is pleased to announce the names of the 2013 Go Red Leading Ladies of Western Massachusetts: Dee Emery-Ferrero of Agawam, Sandy Fickert of Easthampton, Janet Garcia of Westfield, Bridget Glasheen of West Springfield, Joanna Guindon of West Springfield, Teresa Hudson of Springfield, Abby Mahoney of Holyoke, Gerda Maissel of Longmeadow, Maura McCaffrey of West Brookfield, Angela Smith of East Longmeadow, Lynn Vedovelli of East Longmeadow and Allison Wolfe of Pittsfield.

The poster was photographed by Denise Smith, owner of Denise Smith Photography who donated her time to shoot and design the poster.

Heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases kill more women each year than the next five causes of death combined, including breast cancer. Go Red For Women raises awareness of heart disease and empowers women to reduce their risk by learning the steps to prevent it.

Go to www.GoRedForWomen.org for more information on the Go Red For Women movement, tips for healthy living, to sign up for Go Red, healthy recipes and more.