Page 30 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2017

PEOPLE go red
NIGHT OUT story by Lynn Lofton photos by Donn Hupp
The date is fast approaching for the November 16 “A Night Out in Red” for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women celebration. The event will show support for this important women’s health issue and provide a fun night at the Lynn
Meadows Discovery Center from 6 to 9 p.m. “The primary purpose of “A Night Out In Red” is to educate those living on the Mississippi Gulf
Coast about women’s health with an emphasis on cardiovascular disease and stroke,” says Laura
Koury, the Heart Association’s regional director of social events on the Coast. “Cardiovascular disease and stroke are the number one and five killers of Americans, so in addition to raising awareness of cardiovascular disease and stroke among women, we also want to celebrate those in our community who are survivors.”
Event co-chairs Stephanie Shaw and Michele Clarke have compelling reasons for their involvement.
“I realized how important heart health was when my husband was diagnosed with a heart issue in December 2014,” Clarke said. “If we hadn’t acted by going to the doctor when he was feeling odd symptoms, it could
have been too late. Even healthy individuals have to be aware of anything that feels unusual and then see a doctor immediately, rather than waiting until it’s too late.”
Shaw said, “In a world filled with cancer headlines, my focus has been on cardiac issues due to a family history — losing two grandparents to heart disease. Due to the research and life saving technology designed in conjunction with the the American Heart Association, both in funds raised and research, my best friend survived a massive heart attack. In my opinion there is no greater WHY than friends and family!”
Koury says this local Go Red for Women event takes place in November rather than February due to the many activities going on in the community in February. “We decided in 2016 to move Go Red For Women
to November so we could make sure we have the community’s full focus,” she added. “The event is held right before everyone gets caught up in the holiday bustle, and we hope the community will take what they learn and utilize that knowledge during the extended holiday season. Though the Go Red event has moved
to November, we still celebrate February as National Heart Month and National Wear Red Day.”
Stephanie Shaw LuAnn Pappas Dorothy Shaw Veronica Ratcliff Michele Clarke
30 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • November 2017 FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net