Newswise — Did you know heart disease is the number one killer of women, causing one in three deaths each year? The Women’s Heart Fund, whose mission is to educate people about the importance of heart health and raise funds for heart programs at Meridian Health recently hosted their most successful luncheon to date. The 9th Annual Spring Luncheon, held on May 15, 2015 was a record-breaking event for this committed group hosting more than 230 guests at the Riverhouse at Rumson Country Club and raising over $45,000.
This year’s luncheon was an exceptional event, joined by special guests, Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, best-selling author, Martha Weinman Lear and long-time radio broadcaster, Joan Hamburg. “Organizations like the Women’s Heart Fund work to save lives every day through education and fundraising, but the fight against heart disease in women is far from over,” said Lt. Governor Guadagno. “Thanks to all those participating today, New Jersey will remain a leader in this fight. I applaud the Heart Fund and Meridian Health for their ongoing efforts to raise awareness for and treat heart disease.”
The luncheon, chaired by Nancy Seidenstein, featured a networking hour, health tips provided by Meridian Health nurses, a raffle and silent auction, and a keynote presentation from Martha Weinman Lear, author of the widely acclaimed Heartsounds memoir that detailed her husband Hal’s brave efforts to fight coronary disease following a massive heart attack. The memoir was one of the first published pieces to openly discuss illness and health. Now, decades later, Weinman Lear took to writing again after she suffered a heart attack of her own, chronicled in her new memoir, Echoes of Heartsounds.
Each year, the Women's Heart Fund board selects and supports one cardiac program, service, or technology provided by Meridian Health. In collaboration with Meridian Cardiovascular Network, which offers the most complete range of heart and vascular services – from prevention and diagnosis to advanced surgery and rehabilitation, the Women’s Heart Fund’s stresses the importance of heart health while raising funds that support the best cardiovascular care close to home.
Most recently, the group provided support for Meridian Health’s Community of LifeSavers program. In partnership with the American Heart Association, Community of LifeSavers equips everyday people with the skills to perform CPR. Since the program launched in March 2014, the Community of LifeSavers program trained over 5,000 students from 17 schools. Meridian’s program is offered at no cost to schools or students. For more information about Women’s Heart Fund, contact Carrie Boardwick, Vice President of Philanthropy Operations, at 732-751-5127 or by email at [email protected].
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