KINGSPORT – The next time a woman in this region recognizes that she needs to pay more attention to her heart health or someone in the Tri-Cities survives a heart attack because of the specialized care available at Wellmont Health System hospitals, a special group of women might be the ones to thank.
Taking the message of Go Red For Women to heart, the Circle of Red has worked diligently to improve the lives of residents in the region. In addition to raising money for the American Heart Association, this group supported the Wellmont CVA Heart Institute's efforts to enhance cardiovascular care in the Tri-Cities area.
The Circle of Red is a group of women ambassadors affiliated with Go Red For Women in the Tri-Cities. Go Red is a national initiative of the American Heart Association to raise awareness that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women. The heart institute and News 5 WCYB are the sponsors for Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.
The Circle of Red raised nearly $90,000 for local and national heart care, research and education that will benefit the region through the American Heart Association and the heart institute.
"The women in the Circle of Red have played such a critical role in enhancing heart care on a local and national level," said Todd Norris, executive director of the Wellmont Foundation. "Some members have enjoyed raising funds for national programs through the American Heart Association and others have been inspired by local initiatives. This combination represents a unique and powerful partnership for our region that conveys an essential message about taking care of one's heart health."
Kathy Ladley and Anne Greenfield were two active members of the Circle of Red who helped sponsor a fundraising event at The Heart Center in Kingsport that attracted 150-175 people. Jill Mayhew, Cindy Blackwell and Pat Turner were their partners in hosting this event.
Ladley and Greenfield were particularly interested in helping advance the institute's Level One Heart Attack Network.
The network is a coordinated effort between medical professionals in the field and physicians and staff at Wellmont hospitals to restore blood flow in clogged arteries within as little as 30 minutes of arrival at the hospital.
Ladley's passion can be attributed in part to her mother suffering from severe heart disease for about 20 years.
"If my mother had small changes in her life when she was younger, she wouldn't have had the problems she faced later," Ladley said. "You can change your life and make a positive difference in your health."
Ladley and Greenfield are married to cardiologists at the institute. Like Ladley, Greenfield has another personal connection to the disease. Heart disease runs in her family, and she sees heart disease firsthand in her career as a nurse.
In raising funds, Greenfield decided that she did not want to go a traditional route of writing letters to friends seeking money.
"We were charged with being creative in coming up with a way to raise money," Greenfield said. "I thought about letters and silent auctions and decided I'd rather do something different. I decided to invite friends to a party, and if they felt compelled to give to the cause of heart health, they could."
It worked because The Heart Center was packed with supporters. The event featured music by Brad Blackwell, who Greenfield had earlier seen playing in front of a large crowd at Stir Fry.
Other Circle of Red members have used innovative methods to raise money. Alicia Simpson held a lunch at The Heart Center for employees, and Paige Baker and Julia Rainero held Hike for Your Heart in Bristol on May 21.
Greenfield said membership in the Circle of Red has been beneficial.
"My life has been enriched being with other women and seeing the high level of heart care that is available from the heart institute," Greenfield said. "I don't think the people in the Tri-Cities fully realize the top-of-the-line heart care we have."
The members of the Circle of Red in 2011 are Paige Baker, Mary Lynn Barnes, Cindy Blackwell, Shirley Carrier, Martha Chill, Denny DeNarvaez, Virginia Frank, Margaret Gall, Anne Greenfield, JoAnne Hairston, Lori Hamilton, Barbara Haun, Tracey Hawkins, Yolanda Istfan, Lettie Jackson, Kathy Ladley, Becky Matney, Jill Mayhew, Mandie Metzger, Laura Meyers, Tracey Moffatt, Julia Rainero, Mary Beth Rainero, Beth Rhinehart, Mary Shrader, Alicia Simpson, Judy Slaughter, Sandy Slaughter, Julie Thomas, Connie Thomas-Thompson, Catherine Tucker, Pat Turner, Beth Ward, Dr. Freddie Williams, Patty Williams, Audrey Zaidi and Rene Zervos.
