COMMUNITY & CULTURE
NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT
Heart health is a priority for women like Katherine Mauzy .
“ Like many people , my father died of heart disease - most families have it touching their lives in some way ,” she said .
Mauzy , a principal at Edward Jones , is the vice chair of the American Heart Association ’ s Go Red for Women campaign in St . Louis . She has actively worked to make sure her friends and colleagues know the risks that heart disease and stroke can pose for women .
“ I lead our women ’ s conference , where our 250 top financial advisors gathered in St . Louis ,” Mauzy explained . “ We taught people how to give CPR , we had someone speak about prevention , etc .”
Heart disease remains the No . 1 killer of American women . In fact , according to the American Heart Association , one in three women die from heart disease and stroke each year , more than deaths from all cancers combined .
“ Those who have high blood pressure , those who smoke , who have high cholesterol and eat an unhealthy diet , and those who live an inactive lifestyle are most at-risk ,” said Metro St . Louis executive director Jennifer Jaeger .
But Jaeger noted that many instances of cardiac events are preventable through changes in lifestyle and overall awareness .
“ We reach the community through the internet and social media , as well as through standard forms of communication . We also work with corporations to bring employee wellness programs to the office ,” she said .
Jaeger added that the increase in awareness is having an impact on the dire statistics , locally and nationally .
“ The American Heart Association ’ s impact goal is to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent , while also reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent ,” she said . “ We are on track to achieve a 20 percent reduction in deaths , and right now , we have increased cardiovascular health by 6 percent .”
And it is women like Mauzy who are making a difference in their communities by spreading the message of Go Red for Women .
“ Women have crazy , busy lives , juggling career and family , caring for parents and kids … their health can fall by the wayside ,” she said . “ This campaign is to make sure they prioritize themselves , too .”
MISSION To build healthier lives , free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke .
HOW YOU CAN HELP The annual Go Red for Women luncheon featuring networking , silent auction and more takes place Friday , Feb . 2 , at The Ritz-Carlton . Cynthia Brinkley and Debra Hollingsworth are co-chairs of this year ’ s event . For more information or to donate , call ( 314 ) 692-5600 or visit heart . org .
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