Then two years ago in the summer of 2006, I got a call from my father who was vacationing in Las Vegas. While gambling with a handful of chips he had suffered an aortic artery aneurism rupture, a rupture so deadly that only one out of every two people survive. My father was one of the lucky survivors.
Dover, DE (Vocus) February 11, 2009
This past Friday, February 6, over 700 men and women came together, dressed in red in support of the 6th Annual Go Red for Women Luncheon and Fashion Show. The event was hosted by the American Heart Association and held at the Sheraton Dover Hotel on North DuPont Highway. Held every year the Luncheon is a social and educational event designed to encourage women to focus on heart health, increase awareness and promote heart research. Wilmington University was proud to be among the many sponsors of the event that benefits the Kent County Division of the American Heart Association. Students from the University's Information Technology and Advanced Communications division also designed a multi-media presentation and video in conjunction with University Relations.
Dr. Betty Caffo, Wilmington University Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs attended the event as well as other University staff all dressed in red to support the American Heart Association. Janet Gill, Site Associate at Wilmington University's Dover site participated in the fashion show as a Go Red models.
"My story with heart disease began fifteen years ago when my mother, complaining that her asthma medication wasn't working, went to the doctor only to find out that she had coronary artery disease," said Gill. "Then two years ago in the summer of 2006, I got a call from my father who was vacationing in Las Vegas. While gambling with a handful of chips he had suffered an aortic artery aneurism rupture, a rupture so deadly that only one out of every two people survive. My father was one of the lucky survivors."
After seeing how heart disease had affect her family Janet Gill decided to talk to her doctor. "They gave me an EKG," said Gill, "and when the doctor came back I excitedly said, 'So did I pass?' She said, 'no, you failed.'" Gill came to find out that although she had an irregular electrocardiogram (EKG) it was normal for her. "I was happy to find out my heart is healthy, I just have to keep it that way from now on." Janet Gill says she keeps her heart healthy by taking a daily low-dose aspirin regimen and keeping people aware. "Awareness is key!" said Gill, "Because women have different symptoms of heart disease and heart attack than men do, so it's so important to stay aware and know all the symptoms."
Miss Delaware 2008 Galen Giaccone and Wilmington University student Lynn Bullock, who is Mrs. Kent County also participated in the fashion show as Go Red Models. Go Red models are people who have had their lives affected by heart disease, or people who are active volunteers for the American Heart Association. Each model had their own story to tell and helped to inspire women to be concerned about heart health.
More than 870,000 American women are killed by heart disease, cardiovascular disease or stroke each year, that is one every 36 seconds.
To get involved with the American Heart Association find your local office at http://www.americanheart.org
To see more pictures from this event visit http://www.wilmu.edu/ur/multimedia/galleries/galleryselect.aspx.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Suki Deen
University Relations Associate
31 Read's Way
New Castle, DE 19720
T:(302) 295-1164
Cell: (302) 563-6282
FAX (302) 295-1137
Suki.r.deen(at)wilmu.edu
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