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| Shelly Afthim |
This
13th annual American Heart Association event aims to educate
attendees about heart disease and stroke in women, and this year especially, on
the importance of heart health amid COVID-19 in our community. This year’s
Luncheon is being led by Kimberly J. Twitchell, Maine Regional President, NBT
Bank. Twitchell and her committee are planning an exciting virtual experience
to be emceed by Anchor Kathleen Jordan of Channel 8 WMTW.
Crystal Heart awards will still be presented to this year’s
distinguished honorees: Dr. Lucy Liaw, Research Scientist with Maine Medical
Center Research Institute, and Michael Bourque, President and CEO of MEMIC.
Shelly
Afthim of Windham will share her story about she has survived heart failure
issues.
“I would not be alive today to watch my boys grow up if it weren't for
the American Heart Association,” said Afthim. “One in three women will die from
cardiovascular disease, I am almost certain to be one of them. However, with
the research, advocacy and education funded by the Association, I believe there
will continue to be advances in medication and treatment for heart failure so that
I can live a longer life.”
Those
with heart disease and stroke, and risk factors such as diabetes and high blood
pressure, are at higher risk for complications from COVID-19.
Special
this year, MaineHealth will host an interactive panel discussion with
Neurosurgeon Dr. Robert Ecker and Cardiologist Dr. Dafina Pruthi discussing
heart and brain health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Open to all attendees,
participants will learn science-based facts and ask questions to these experts.
The
American Heart Association has established a $2.5 million rapid research fund to fast-track
scientific research to better understand COVID-19 and its interaction with
cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. In Maine, the Association
is currently funding over $1.1 million in cardiovascular research.
In
addition to an exciting online silent auction, Blake Hayes of the Coast 93.1
morning show will conduct a live auction for a unique opportunity for the
winner and three guests to meet the Director of Maine’s Center for Disease
Control and Prevention, Dr. Nirav Shah, over lunch.
The
2020 Go Red for Women® Executive Leadership Team includes: Samantha Commeau, Bank of America; Steve DeCastro, Gorham
Savings; Catherine Desrochers, Acadia Benefits; Joan Fortin, BernstinShur; Pam
DiPietro Hale, Norway Savings Bank; Lucie Hannigan, People's United Bank; Gail
Hatem, Hannaford Supermarkets; Robin Lin Hodgskin, Morgan Stanley Wealth
Management; Eric Jermyn, Cross Employee Benefits; Janice Latulippe,
BerryDunn; Jack Lufkin, NBT Bank; Joan Smith, Baker Newman Noyes; Melanie
Tinto, WEX; and Thomas Whelan, Bath Savings Institute.
The
Go Red For Women campaign is sponsored nationally by CVS Health and locally by
the statewide Maine Goes Red sponsor, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. Additional
local sponsors include: Cross Employee Benefits;
Gorham Savings; Guardian Life Insurance; Hannaford Supermarkets; NBT
Bank; MaineHealth; MEMIC, Spectrum Healthcare Partners; Unum; and WEX. Media sponsors are Channel 8 WMTW,
Mainebiz, and WPOR 101.9
To
reserve your virtual seat this event, or to make a lifesaving donation to the
AHA to help continue funding local research and education by visiting: mainegoredluncheon.heart.org
For additional questions and sponsorship opportunities, please
contact Katie Rooks, Go Red Luncheon Director, at 207-289-2388 or Katie.Rooks@heart.org.
