Annual Go Red for Women Luncheon raising awareness

St. Mary's Regional Heart Institute, along with nationwide sponsors, Macy's and Merck, are sponsoring the annual Go Red for Women Luncheon at noon Friday at the St. Mary's Center for Education.

February represents American Heart Month and brings awareness to the number one killer for women: Heart disease.

 The event is $35.00 per individual, and all the proceeds will go toward The American Heart Association. Women are encouraged to wear red, as Friday is also National Wear Red Day.

Guest speakers will include Dr. Paulette Wehner, interventional cardiologist at St. Mary's Medical Center, and Sharon Shaw, director of public relations at St. Mary's Medical Center.

Each year, a survivor of heart disease speaks to the public about their experience. This year, Shaw will be speaking about her heart attack incident, which occurred at last year's luncheon.

Shaw said the event is a fun time for women to dress in red, enjoy a fashion show presented by survivors and hear speeches directly from other women.

"It is important women are aware of their blood test numbers, including cholesterol, body mass index and lipids," Shaw said. "My message is for women to listen to their bodies because I fought my signs off for almost five hours until I finally went to the hospital before passing out."

The event is an opportunity to alert women of heart disease risk factors and instruct the community on preventative techniques.