With less than one month to go until the Go Red For Women Luncheon, Kristen Martin is hard at work. Martin, Chief Operating Officer for Utica National Insurance Company, is currently serving as chairwoman for The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s (AHA/ASA) 2017 Utica Go Red For Women Luncheon.
Martin is leading the fundraising efforts for the luncheon in the Greater Utica/Mohawk Valley area to help achieve the AHA’s 2020 impact goal: to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20% while reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20 percent.
Money raised at events like the Go Red For Women Luncheon goes towards lifesaving research, advocacy, and education programs. The Go Red For Women movement focuses on raising awareness among women that heart disease is their greatest health threat. Cardiovascular diseases and stroke kill one in three women each year.
“I was honored to be asked to Chair the campaign as both my parents suffer or suffered from heart disease,” said Martin. “My dad, who worked very hard, did not get to fully enjoy his retirement as he suffered two strokes which limited his ability to travel and, later even his ability to drive or go to the market. Living a healthy lifestyle while I’m young so that I can retire, travel and enjoy time with my family is my dream and I hope that this campaign can help make it a reality for all those who hear our message.”
The 2017 Go Red For Women Luncheon will be held Wednesday, May 3, at Daniele’s Banquet Specialists.
Go Red For Women is nationally sponsored by Macy’s and CVS Health and locally sponsored by Utica National Insurance Company, First Source Federal Credit Union, VNA Home Care, M&T Bank, MVHS, and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.