Hundreds Attend Westchester Go Red for Women Luncheon

The May 31st Westchester American Heart Association's Go Red for Women Luncheon at the Hilton Westchester was packed with more than 300 women and men, most wearing the event’s signature red color, to raise awareness and funds to fight women’s number one killer—heart disease.

The event featured morning education sessions, health and wellness expo, inspiring survivor stories, and keynote address by Suzanne R. Steinbaum, DO, FACC, FAHA. Steinbaum is a cardiologist and Director of Women's Cardiovascular Prevention, Health and Wellness at Mount Sinai Heart in New York City, and member of the American Heart Association Board of Directors. Donations are still being accepted online at http://westchestergored.heart.org.

"There is nothing more powerful than knowing 80% of the time, heart disease is preventable. We can change the statistics surrounding women and heart disease together by putting our own hearts first,” said Dr. Steinbaum.

Maila Winffotter of Greenwich and Jennifer Garcia of Peekskill were featured in a video at the event. Both had heart attacks before the age 50. Winffotter had a busy, stressful life, working multiple jobs. She had extreme fatigue, lack of sleep, and eventually pain and tightness deep in her back that she’d never felt before. She felt chest pain and exhaustion during and after a party in February. The next day, she said her head was pounding as if someone was hammering it. Garcia said, looking back, she hadn’t feel well for months prior to her heart attack at age 40. She felt exhausted all the time.

“I didn’t think anything of it. I was under a lot of stress, so I just kept going. I didn’t realize those were symptoms. The doctors told me my heart attack was related to high blood pressure. I didn’t even know I had high blood pressure,” said Garcia.

Both women have incorporated healthy lifestyle habits like healthy food choices and exercise into their daily routines since their heart attacks. Garcia makes time to exercise with her 9-year old son. Winffotter exercises daily and can now enjoy time with her grandchildren.

The American Heart Association states that more than 80% of coronary events in women may be prevented with simple lifestyle changes, but prevention is hindered by the fact that many women do not realize heart disease is their number one killer—more than all cancers combined. For 15 years, the Go Red for Women movement has worked to close this knowledge gap and provide women with tools, resources and inspiration to build a healthier life. Women can access free resources at www.goredforwomen.org.

The PURSEonality auction featured stylish handbags, wallets and more. Guests also made personal donations to support the American Heart Association’s programs and research through the Open Your Heart campaign.

Go Red for Women is sponsored nationally by CVS Health. Greenwich Hospital is the Signature Sponsor. White Plains Hospital is the local Check. Change. Control. sponsor. Local sponsors include Fujifilm, and media sponsors 100.7 WHUD, Examiner News, Westchester Magazine, Buzz Creators, Professional Women of Westchester, WAG Magazine, Westchester Business Journal, and Fairfield Business Journal.