International Woman's Heart Day Screening 2011
Washington DC - Sister to Sister held its third International Woman's Heart Day Screening and Brunch at Neiman Marcus, Mazza Gallerie on Friday, February 18th, 2011. It was an amazing event in which over 42 countries took the first step to help combat the global crisis of women and heart disease.
Members of the diplomatic community in Washington DC, including 10 female Embassy Ambassadors, gathered to learn the message that cardiovascular disease kills 8.6 million women each year, accounting for one-third of all deaths in women worldwide. Heart disease affects all women, of age, geographic location, and socioeconomic standing. The good news is that increasing awareness can combat this deadly and disabling disease. By getting screened, by knowing your numbers, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising and not smoking, your risk of getting heart disease can decrease by 82%. Many attendees were suprised to learn this incredibly good news.
The event included complimentary cardiovascular screenings for total and HDL cholesterol, blood glucose levels, blood pressure, BMI and waist circumference, along with immediate results and personalized counseling sessions for those at risk. The screenings were sponsored by Sister to Sister's hospital partner, Brigham and Women's Hospital.
The guests were inspired by Sister to Sister's founder, Mrs. Irene S. Pollin, to help women around the world recognize the signs of heart disease and decrease the number of heart disease-related deaths. Dr. Edward J. Roccella from the National Institutes of Health shared his wealth of knowledge on what women can do to lower their own risk for heart disease. This was followed by a discussion from Dr. JoAnne M. Foody of Brigham and Women's Hospital. She encouraged that increasing awareness is a key tool in helping to combat this deadly disease, and by spreading the messages they learned back in their own countries, they could save lives!
All women were presented with an amazing opportunity to participate in Brigham and Women's Building Wellness One Heart At A Time, a comprehensive online wellness tool developed to empower users on their path to a healthier heart. Program participants will receive two free blood tests, providing an accurate assessment of their heart health, as well as a comprehensive Health Risk Assessment, and access to a variety of useful tools. This collection of international heart health data will help to shape research on women and heart disease.
The attendees were treated to a delicious and heart-healthy brunch by Ridgewells Catering, goody bags by Neiman Marcus and heart-health keepsake materials from Sister to Sister.
The International Woman's Heart Day Screening and Brunch was an inspiring gathering of women from numerous backgrounds who came together to learn about the global crisis of cardiovascular disease, and to help educate the women from their own communities to save lives.
To join our international efforts, please contact Sister to Sister for more details.