2010 Go Red for Women

Knock Out Heart Disease!

That was the theme of the 2010 Go Red for Women Cleveland luncheon held February 26, 2010 at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel. Not all of the 850 participants who signed up were able to attend due to yet another blast of winter weather. However, it would have taken more than a snow storm to keep some of these ladies away from this tremendous event.

Event chair Jennifer Bell and the two co-directors Nicole Burke and Lindsay Silverstein led a huge crew of volunteers through a day that included a Health Expo, Silent Auction, Breakout Sessions, Lunch and Speakers.

Nicole Burke, Jennifer Bell, Chairman and Lindsay Silverstein

Lina Bellanti of Estee Lauder (Macy's) applies lip liner
to Ruth Ann Resparc

Monica Robins, Anchor and Senior Health Correspondent for WKYC TV 3 was the event emcee.

Monica Robins

Here's something interesting to think about. In order to be considered at a healthy weight proportion, your waist should be equal to one half of your height. So if you are 5'6, for example, your height, in inches, is 66 inches. Therefore, your waste should be 33 inches. The gasps heard round the room made it clear not many people fell into that category.

Although chest pain is still the most common indicator of a heart problem it presents itself much differently in men than women and is not always instantly recognized. Studies show that in 71% of the woman with heart issues there was a profound, intense fatigue. In 48% a new onset of disturbed sleep was reported. 42% reported shortness of breath, 39% indigestion and 35% reported anxiety.

In addition to the chest area usually associated with heart issues, symptoms can become evident in the lower jaw, neck, upper back, shoulders, stomach and other places usually not associated with heart. This often results in women waiting longer than they should to get treatment.

As Dr. Barbara Williams, Director of Women's Cardiovascular Center at University Hospitals pointed out, it is always better to have a doctor tell you that your test came out fine and you did not have a heart-related incident, than to wait until potentially irreversible damage is done.

Three motivating true-life stories were presented by "Open Your Heart Speakers" - average people who have been affected by heart disease in one way or another.

Keynote speaker Jackie Kallen

Her speech was funny as well as enlightening and well received by the guests. She talked about her own health issues. She has a stent implant for her heart and has endured two lumpectomies.

Just like she would not accept no for an answer from the male dominated sports journalism and boxing worlds, she was not willing to let physical ailments stop her. She remembers thanking God for giving her something that could be fixed instead of one of the many other ailments she could have been inflicted with.

First Lady of Boxing - Jackie Kallen

This event tops itself every year. It is motivating, fun and educational. It also raises a lot of money for The American Heart Association. At the time of the luncheon $575,000 had been netted for this one campaign in Cleveland. This is almost a 10% increase over last year.

Clevelanders may be suffering from a bad economy, but Cleveland Women know what is important.

Cleveland Women at Go Red for Women

Sarah Box

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Sandy Belaj and Barbara Daniel

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Rosanne Potter

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Red Boas Rule!

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So do Red Hats

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The Olympic Rings as Hearts

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Olympic Champion Dominique Moceanu

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Marcella Disman of Macy's

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Deborah Taylor and Sylvia Cunningham

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Laura Cahill and Allison Stockdale from Lake Health Systems

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Jacque Smith Jovic

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Tiffany Hatcher, Abi Luempert and Deb Howard

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Evelyn Faulkner and Dawn Clark

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Chrystle Bowman, Jerry Sims and Jackie Adams

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Erin Hillard,Mary Michael, Sharon O'Flaherty,
Tracy Spencer and Christine Dayton

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Alison Bibb-Carson

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Monica Robins

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Josie Puskas is Inspi(Red)

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Dawn Clark, American Heart Association Cleveland