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Leading Ladies wear their hearts on their sleeves |
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March 15, 2010
By Katelyn Gendron
Reminder Assistant Editor
Red is the color this season for 22 women in the Pioneer Valley.
The American Heart Association's (AHA) Go Red Leading Ladies of 2010 are 22 of the area's most unique women who will serve as ambassadors committed to eradicating heart disease.
"The American Heart Association was looking for women who are role models and an inspiration to others in the home, at work or in their community to be a part of this campaign," Mary Ann Burns, director of communications for AHA, said.
"Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women, yet most women are not even aware of this mostly preventable disease," she continued. "By working with women in our own community on this poster campaign, we can share the message of good heart health and fight heart disease in women right here in Massachusetts."
Already coping with the precursors of heart disease, Leading Lady Anna Giza, promotions director for WWLP-TV in Chicopee, hopes other women will look at her and understand just how easily the disease can become a hidden time bomb that's "taking a toll on [their] body."
"Since I'm a tiny, active woman, no one would ever guess that I have a problem with blood pressure and cholesterol," said Giza, who, thanks to a family history of high blood pressure and vascular problems on her mother's side, has been on medication to battle hypertension since her twenties.
"I hope I can help spread the word about the importance of keeping a close watch on your heart health," she added. "I know firsthand how important it is."
Leading Lady Judy Piper, director of health information at Kindred Hospital Park View in Springfield, agreed. Piper confessed that heart health was not a top priority for her until her 50-year-old sister died of a heart attack and her father survived one.
"It scared me and motivated me to really get involved with fundraising [for AHA] and raising awareness," she recalled. "I don't want anyone to go through what I went through. I watched my sister die ... it traumatized me."
Piper said she is honored to be one of this year's Leading Ladies and looks forward to helping others realize the importance of heart health.
Leading Lady Brittanie Desroches of Charter Oak Insurance & Financial Services in Holyoke was "shocked" to learn that heart disease kills more women than the four major cancers combined. She said she wants her time as a Leading Lady to be an example of how even small changes - such as watching one's diet and increasing the amount one exercises - can help women protect their hearts.
"I think by looking at an ordinary person and seeing how they've adapted their lifestyle by taking preventative measures . they will see how easy it is to reduce their risk," Desroches said.
For writer, two-time cancer survivor and Leading Lady Peggy Melanson of Chicopee, it's how a serious illness such as heart disease affects the family and friends of the patient that she wants to focus on.
"I think [my role] is a way to direct family and friends to the help they need [to cope with a loved one's illness]," she said.
Fellow Leading Ladies Michelle Nicholson, a regional director for AHA in West Springfield, Angela Lussier, owner of 365 Degrees Consulting in Agawam, and Melissa Pinkerton, communications manager for Six Flags New England, said they were honored to become ambassadors for the Go Red Movement.
"I live and breathe the AHA," Nicholson said. "I think coming [to work] here has taught me to be more aware [of heart health]. It doesn't mean you have to be dieting but keep a balanced diet."
Lussier agreed. "The reason I wanted to be involved is to set an example of healthy living for other women," she added. "It's a big responsibility to be a role model for other women in the community and I'm really honored to have that responsibility."
Other 2010 Leading Ladies include Laurie McDonald of Adams, Cindy Burke of East Longmeadow, Heather Ciaglo of Hadley, Christine Waller and Margot Williamson of Holyoke, Tina D'Agostino of Longmeadow, Judy O'Keefe of Ludlow, Molly Gray of Northampton, Lauren Healey, Carolyn Mutcherson, Rebecca Sears and Gloria Wilson of Springfield, Rose-Marie Moore of Westfield and Karen Geaghan and Meghan Rothschild of Wilbraham.
For more information about the 2010 Leading Ladies, visit www.goredforwomen.org.
Assistant Managing Editor Debbie Gardner contributed to this article.
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