February Is American Heart Month: “Go Red for Women” Luncheon To Raise Awareness; Award Four

HAMPTON ROADS

More than 400 people dressed in red are expected to attend the American Heart Association Hampton Roads’ annual Go Red for Women Luncheon on Friday, February 14, 2025. The program will honor survivors, celebrate advancements in heart health and chart a new course toward a world free of cardiovascular disease, which claims the lives of 1 in 3 women.

It is also designed to raise funds towards a goal of $350,000 to save and improve women’s lives by advancing equitable research and care, advocating for inclusive health policies and raising awareness of women’s number one health threat, cardiovascular disease (CVD).

One hundred years after its founding, the American Heart Association, devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives for all, looks to its premier women’s movement, Go Red for Women®, to help usher in a second century of pioneering progress towards health equity for women.

This year with the event happening on Valentine’s Day at the Hampton Roads Convention Center from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., attendees can expect to enjoy a bustling Festival of Red Expo featuring vendors and activities during the pre-luncheon networking hour and a silent auction. Laura Coates, CNN Anchor & Chief Legal Analyst, Radio Show Host and Author, is the keynote speaker.

An added element is the Survivor Fashion Show featuring MeShall Simmons, Randah Gaitan, Stephanie Batten, Daniela Seifert, Abby Larsen, Katie Moegenberg, Vickie Williams Cullins, Christina Saldiva, Macy Marshall, Sherrell Clark, Leah Griffin, and La’Tisha Heckstall.

Additionally, the luncheon will host the Live Fierce Awards locally sponsored by TowneBank, featuring recognition of four community leaders to include: Bonita Billingsley Harris, Dominion Energy; Patricia Bracknell, Chamber for Hispanic Progress; Dr. Leryn Reynolds, Old Dominion University; and President Katherine Rowe, The College of William & Mary.

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 “I joined the Go Red for Women movement because I’ve seen firsthand how heart disease affects the lives of women in our community. It’s not just a statistic – it’s our mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends,” said Adria Vanhoozier, Hampton Roads Go Red for Women chair and President of Riverside Doctors’ Hospital Williamsburg. “This movement gives us the chance to come together, raise awareness, and take action to prevent this disease. I believe in the power of community, and by supporting each other, we can create lasting change and improve the health of women everywhere.”

  Since 2004, the Go Red for Women movement has addressed the awareness and clinical care gaps of CVD for women. As the movement celebrates 20 years of making an impact, the Association calls on all women to take charge of their health and make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of their community.

For more information visit www.heart.org/hamptonroadsgored.