October/November - Coulee Region Women's Magazine

heart attack with shortness of breath, neck
or jaw discomfort, shoulder pain, teeth
pain, nausea/vomiting, lightheadedness
or cold sweats. The Go Red for Women
website lists sudden numbness on one side
of the body, confusion, trouble speaking or
understanding, dizziness or sudden trouble
walking, or sudden severe headaches as signs
of a stroke.
Today, heart disease is still the number
one killer of women, claiming one in three
women each year (in contrast, one woman
in 30 will lose her life to breast cancer).
With a mission to “build healthier lives, free
of cardiovascular diseases and strokes,” Go
Red for Women and the AHA incorporate
making heart-healthy choices to help prevent
cardiac episodes as part of their goal.
With the help of fund-raisers, donations
and sponsorships, Go Red for Women
hopes to reduce death and disability from
heart disease and strokes by 20 percent, and
improve the heart health of all Americans by
20 percent, by the year 2020.
Get your red dress on
The red dress was introduced as a symbol
for awareness of heart disease in women
by the National Heart, Lung and Blood
Institute in 2003. Soon after, it was adopted
as a unifying symbol for the different
organizations working to raise awareness of
heart disease, including Go Red for Women.
February is American Heart Month, and the
first Friday of every February is National
Wear Red Day.
“Nationally, you’ll see a lot of things ‘go
red,’” Casey says. “Even the Empire State
Building goes red.”
“Once you’re aware, you’ll start to notice,” says
Davis. “Once you’re looking for it, it’s everywhere.”
Davis and Casey work directly with
many school districts in the state,
conducting fund-raisers such as Jump Rope
for Heart and informational campaigns to
raise awareness. They have found that a
career based on collecting donations for a
cause is both difficult and rewarding.
“You’re asking people for money, but
you’re doing it for a cause, and the Heart
Association uses their donor dollars really
well,” Casey states. “Eight percent always goes
back to the community.”
The latest available AHA statistics (2007)
show that 32.2 percent of all deaths in the
state of Wisconsin that year were from
cardiovascular disease. In La Crosse County,
27.9 percent of all deaths that year were from
cardiovascular disease.
In July, Casey and Davis hosted the first
La Crosse Go Red for Women Luncheon. At
that initial event, 160 people attended, and
$20,000 was raised. They are already looking
forward to the 2012 event on July 25.
To make a donation or find out more
information, go to www.heart.org or www.
goredforwomen.org. crw
Lindsay Bonnar finds the Coulee Region
a great place to maintain heart health. She
enjoys the fresh produce the local farmers’
markets provide and running as much as
possible on the state trails.
It’s Such a Great Feeling
to Help Your Family Smile Again!
Get AcquAinted!
FRee
Whitening
with new patient exam
& cleaning in the absence
of gum disease & decay
Dr. Elisabeth Dommer, Dr. Karen Spitzer, and Dr. Paul Huey
We are excited to now offer expanded hours Monday - Friday, making
it easier than ever to schedule an appointment for the whole family.
LA CROSSE
866-788-6213
3143 State Road, Suite 201
La Crosse, WI 54601
www.SmilesLaCrosse.com
ONALASKA
866-782-0876
1831 E. Main Street
Onalaska, WI 54650
www.SmilesOnalaska.com
Formerly the office of Dr. Charles Kessler
“Bringing dentistry for the entire family to your neighborhood.”
36 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2011 www.crwmagazine.com