Robin S. Hager
I am deeply honored to be the 2012/2013 chair. Leading the Go Red For Women movement in Guilford County will allow me to combine my personal and professional experience to make a real impact on local women and those whom they influence every day. Go Red For Women is a lifestyle initiative aimed at educating women about their risk factors for heart disease and then empowering them to make changes to their lifestyles for the better.
I accepted this role after attending a luncheon in February 2012 on National Wear Red Day, and I heard statistics that I should have known, but didn’t. At that time I knew I had to get involved. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States. One in every three women in the U.S.—approximately one woman every minute—loses her life to heart disease. However, 80% of cardiac events in women are preventable.
One of the most unique and inspiring aspects of Guilford Go Red is that we run a year-round, inclusive campaign. Through the end of my term and our second year here in Guilford County, we will have touched women from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds through educational events. We will have actively engaged our local universities, places of worship and the corporate community. And we will have provided even more “Make It Your Mission” scholarships to women to attend our premiere event, the Educational Expo and Luncheon in May of 2013.
Through the depth and uniqueness of our Guilford County Go Red initiatives, I am confident we can reach a large audience with an impactful message. For me, it really is all about being able to make a difference in women’s lives – even if it is one person at a time. Today I am an avid runner, but that hasn’t always been the case. In my late 20’s I was an overweight smoker, and I know how difficult it can be to make those lifestyle changes. If I can get one woman to start an exercise program or stop smoking by sharing my story, it is worth it. That is what “going red” is all about.
On a more personal note, the Go Red movement also makes me think of my own daughter and 14 nieces. Spearheading this initiative gives me the tools to educate them on their heart health and teach them that the greatest gift they can give themselves – and others – is taking care of their health. As women, many of us are inclined to put others first. When it comes to our health, we have to be more inwardly focused because if we don’t take care of our physical wellbeing, we may not be able to take care of the friends and family we so dearly love and support.
Leading this important cause of the American Heart Association allows me to help others and to make a difference in our community. My father who has been my mentor my entire life, taught me that giving back to the community is a way of life, and that service has an extremely powerful impact in making a difference in society. I feel blessed to work for a Company, NewBridge Bank, where our CEO, Pressley Ridgill not only encourages community involvement, but insists on it. Together we can make a difference and change lives. I invite each of you to think about how you can become involved.
Message From Nancy Brown
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the Guilford Go Red Luncheon! We’re delighted you are here and appreciate your interest in learning how you can advance health, stop heart disease and save women’s lives. That’s what the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women® movement is all about.
Heart disease isn’t just a man’s problem. It’s a woman’s problem, too. In fact, it’s the No. 1 killer of women. And, tragically, far too few women realize their risk from this preventable disease. We need to raise women’s awareness of their risk and protect our mothers, daughters, sisters, friends and ourselves.
You can help, starting today. Here’s how:
First, take charge of your own heart health. Visit your doctor. Know your numbers (learn more at www.GoRedForWomen.org). You can improve your blood pressure, cholesterol and other numbers by making lifestyle changes. You’ll be healthier and look and feel better, too.
Second, join the American Heart Association in making it your mission to fight heart disease in women. Help spread the word that heart disease is women’s No. 1 killer. Share what you learn today with your family and members of your community. Tell five women you want them to live and we can help stop heart disease in our lifetime.
Third and last, consider making a contribution. Your donation today will make a difference in the lives of women here and across the country. You can help fund local and national Go Red activities that support awareness, research, education and community programs that benefit women.
Thank you again for being here. My hope is that you won’t leave today without committing to making a difference by joining the Go Red For Women movement — women everywhere need your help. Only one in five women believes that heart disease is her greatest health threat. We believe reducing risk and preventing heart disease starts with education — and you. There’s so much to do, and so much at stake.
With your commitment, we can help women and their families live longer, stronger lives. Thank you for your generous support.
Warm regards,
Nancy Brown
Chief Executive Officer
American Heart Association
Volunteer Spotlight
Cheryl Hancock
After attending the 2012 luncheon I approached Robin Hager and shared that I was very interested in being a part of the Go Red For Women Initiative in Guilford County and quickly embraced the opportunity. I was surprised by the effects that heart disease had on women, but pleased to learn that 80% of heart disease is preventable with a healthy lifestyle. Like most women I did not realize it was the number one killer.
I am a wife and mother of 2 young girls; I am a leader in my job, and a friend to many. Like most other women I know, I always put my other responsibilities before taking care of myself. Through my involvement with Go Red For Women I have come to realize if I do not begin to put my heart health and my needs as an individual first I will not be able to support the other people in my life I try so hard to take care of.
Being a part of the Executive Leadership Team for Go Red For Women this year has allowed me to use my talents to begin spreading the word of heart health to others in the community. It is with great passion that I am willing to meet and talk to anyone about the importance of heart health. Through the Go Red For Women Initiative so many women at all levels are able to be touched and make simple life choices that can have lasting effects on their health.
I look forward to continuing to work on the Go Red For Women initiative this year and in many years to come. I feel blessed to work for NewBridge Bank that promotes and strongly supports community involvement. I have found a passion and I want to share the message with others the importance of being heart healthy. I want my two beautiful young girls to learn early the importance of heart health so that the next generation of young ladies will not have to be as concerned with heart health because it will become a way of life for them. I want my husband of seventeen years and all my wonderful friends to know I care for them so much that I want to take care of myself so I can be there to take care of them.
Join Cheryl and Make it Your Mission to help in the fight against heart disease in women.