Hundreds of people will be decked out in red on Friday, Oct. 27, as they gather for the Quad Cities’ Go Red for Women 20th anniversary luncheon to raise awareness and help fund the fight against heart disease and stroke — the No. 1 killer of women.
The Go Red luncheon is one of the nation’s premier events for the American Heart Association, and the signature fundraising event for its Go Red for Women movement, which harnesses the energy, passion and power of women to improve their health. In turn, it also supports their families and communities.
Individual tickets still are available for the luncheon at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 111 E. 2nd St., Davenport. Tickets can be purchased at heart.org/QuadCitiesGoRed. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and the program runs from noon to 1 p.m.
“As we celebrate two decades of Go Red for Women in the Quad Cities, we highlight the progress we’ve made and rally to continue raising awareness of women’s greatest health threat,” said Dounia Sareini, Quad Cities Go Red for Women co-chair and marketing/virtual assistant for Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors.
“Awareness is key for women to recognize warning signs and get the treatment they need.”
Go Red for Women is nationally sponsored by CVS Health and the Quad Cities luncheon is locally presented by Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors and Canadian Pacific Kansas City.
The event features a silent auction, keynote address and survivor story. Dr. Amit Bahia, a cardiologist at CVM, will deliver the keynote address and discuss the progress made in cardiovascular medicine over the past 20 years. Susan Haack, a local heart transplant survivor who was diagnosed with congestive heart failure at age 44, will share the story of her emotional journey.
Angie Sharp, the City of Bettendorf’s community engagement manager, will emcee the fundraiser.
Local men who support the cause and are well-known in the community also will assist at the event as Heart Throbs. This year’s Heart Throbs include Andy McCray, chief meteorologist for WHBF TV; Dustin Nolan, anchor at KWQC TV; James Zahara, chief meteorologist for WQAD TV; Scott Naumann, Bettendorf alderman; Decker Ploehn, Bettendorf city administrator; and Kai Swanson, assistant to the president at Augustana College.
“The Go Red for Women Luncheon isn’t just about wearing red,” said Kandi Olson, Quad Cities Go Red for Women co-chair and emergency medical technician for Medic EMS. “This is about raising awareness and changing the stigma that cardiovascular disease is something that only affects men. If this message can save even one person’s life, then we’ve made a difference.”
Since 2004, Go Red for Women has engaged more than 2 million women to learn their risk of heart disease and stroke and take powerful steps to take charge of their health.
For more information on how to get involved in the luncheon, contact Shelly Naumann at shelly.naumann@heart.org or visit heart.org/QuadCitiesGoRed.
