South Bay Go Red For Women Luncheon raises $200,000

The American Heart Association's (AHA) South Bay Go Red For Women Luncheon drew close to 300 people and raised more than $200,000 in support of the AHA's mission of building healthier lives, free of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.

At the event the AHA honored three women for their positive, transformational impact on community health. Kori Clausen, owner of Four Daughter's Kitchen, was recognized for advocating for preventive heart screenings following the sudden heart attack death of her husband, Clint, in 2014. Katie Pandolfo, general manager of StubHub Center was honored for championing workplace wellness and creating a healthy environment for her staff. Actress Regina Hall, who has a history of heart disease in her family, received an award for utilizing the power of entertainment to promote heart-healthy living.

Providence Little Company of Mary Chief Executive Mary Kingston was the chairwoman of this year's event, which included an educational session and a health expo. Ten year old Grace Ehlers shared her brother's battle against heart disease and made a special appeal for donations to help other children with heart disease. Three-time Major League Soccer Cup champion and LA Galaxy defender AJ Delagarza talked about his late son, Luca, who died of heart disease a week after he was born, before presenting one of the awards.

Heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year -- more than all cancers combined. Additionally, 1 in 100 babies in the U.S. is born with a heart defect. The AHA's Go Red For Women movement provides women and their families with the tools and resources to help them live longer, stronger, healthier lives.

Funds raised at the Go Red For Women events support the association's lifesaving work, including funding innovative scientific research, bringing health education programs to children and adults in the community, setting science-based best practices for treating heart disease and stroke, and advocating for policies that positively impact cardiovascular health.

Go Red For Women is sponsored nationally by Macy's and locally by UCLA Health, Providence Little Company of Mary and Kaiser Permanente. For more information, visit