Go Red for Women, 2011
GO RED FOR WOMEN, 2011
Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death among American women, and black women have a greater risk than white women, according to the American Heart Association. To combat these alarming statistics, the Richmond (VA) Chapter launched a new HeartLinks initiative, “It’s All About Me,” in 2010.
The new program focuses on the overall wellbeing of both chapter and community members. It launched in the fall with chapter members pledging to value their health, take control of their choices, and to love and accept themselves. The pledge also required members to make a personal commitment to a specific goal that they want to accomplish during the year. At monthly chapter meetings, members provide updates on how well they are progressing toward their goals.
The second component of the HeartLinks initiative was a Wellness Mini-Retreat, which was held a local hotel. This was not your typical retreat, but an action-packed event that included a seminar on stress led by medical doctor Link Daphne Bryan Washington followed by health screenings, exercise, yoga, massages and reflexology. Dinner featured a heart healthy salad buffet with a 90-minute line dancing class for dessert. The evening concluded with networking and social activities. The retreat concluded with a 5K walk sponsored by the American Cancer Society and the following week our chapter supported the Richmond HeartWalk.
The third aspect of the HeartLinks initiative was the celebration of Heart Health month in February. Chapter members wore red to the February chapter meeting and received the signature “red dress pin,” heart health literature from the American Heart Association as well as a bookmark designed by the chapter’s National Trends and Services Facet highlighting heart health and the “It’s All About Me” logo. Members also shared testimonials on their progress with their pledges.
The final component of the program is a community event to be hosted in March 2011 in conjunction with the local NAACP and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). The event is a health and wellness workshop that specifically targets a low-income minority community in the city of Richmond. Link Daphne Washington will provide a heart health seminar focusing on stress, diet, nutrition and exercise. Other sessions will highlight other diseases that are prevalent in the African American community.
