Go Red for Women Luncheon

I love that the International Pageants is connected with the American Heart Association!  

I had the chance to meet Mrs. Utah International 2014 - Amy Farnsworth-Stratton - as we were both volunteering together for this event.

Different from my other previous events as Miss Utah International, for this event, I was a volunteer. I got a beautiful Red Dress rhinestone pin added to my sash in time for the event and was ready in my red dress and red heels.

Amy and I met with the other volunteers to review the responsibilities for the day.  We had the great job of greeting people as they entered the silent auction and booth area before the luncheon.  We took pictures with so many fun people - all there to generously give for a fabulous cause!

Heart disease is the #1 killer of women.  This is so overlooked.  Here are some fast facts on Women's Heart Disease:

Women & Heart Disease

• Women account for just over half of the total heart disease deaths in the United States each year, although many women continue to think of heart disease as a man’s disease.
• Worldwide, 8.6 million women die from heart disease each year, accounting for a third of all deaths in women.
• 42% of women who have heart attacks die within 1 year, compared to 24% of men.
• Under age 50, women’s heart attacks are twice as likely as men’s to be fatal.
• 8 million women in the US are currently living with heart disease; 35,000 are under age 65. Four million suffer from angina.
• 435,000 American women have heart attacks annually; 83,000 are under age 65; 35,000 are under 55.
• 267,000 women die each year from heart attacks - six times more than the number of women who die from breast cancer.

Wow - it is amazing that we focus so much on other risks when truly we should be focused on prevention of heart disease!  Check out the Go Red for Women website for some great ideas on how to reduce your risk of heart disease:

https://www.goredforwomen.org/

It was so wonderful to see the generosity at the luncheon event.  I couldn't help but wonder if all these generous people had given service as youth -- as youth who serve become adults who serve and our community and society is so much better when people step outside of themselves and help others.

We also had the opportunity to collect the cards after the speaker (who shared a great life experience about the importance of heart health) with additional pledges from the luncheon participants and place a flashing heart around their necks when they gave of more for the cause.

As a side note - they say that redheads shouldn't wear red - but I really like the color red - American Heart Association, University of Utah Utes, the color of Love - yep RED is a great color! (of course, I had to take a picture by the University of Utah health care sign as that's where I work!)

Go RED for Women!  I'm looking forward to the next American Heart Association event here in Utah in June and hope that Miss Teen Utah International can join Mrs. Utah International and I! Can't wait to see my Utah International Sisters again next month!