American Heart Association board chair Rene Grubb, left, Executive Director Merry Merryman and event chair Denise Sanford are decked out in red for the AHA’s annual Go Red for Women Luncheon. 
Go Red for Women committee members Stephanie Petlow, left, and Paula Bottiani. 
American Heart Association Go Red for Women keynote speaker and heart attack survivor Jon Hyde. 
American Heart Association board president Taylor Holve and speaker Patty Swenson. 
Evelyn Golis, left, event committee member and past event chairman Steve Golis, and Justin Anderson. 
Elizabeth Teagle, a member of the Go Red for Women Executive Leadership Team in Monterey County, attends Go Red for Women luncheons in Dallas and across the Central Coast of California. 
Event attendees number more than 400. 
Visitors check out the pre-luncheon health expo. 
The American Heart Association promotes its April 14 Pinot & Purses event.
The American Heart Association’s annual Go Red for Women luncheon in Santa Barbara celebrated survivors and supported the fight against the No. 1 killer of women: heart disease. Go Red for Women is the AHA’s national movement to end heart disease and stroke in women.
Each year, more than 300,000 people have a sudden cardiac arrest outside of a hospital. Not even one-third of those people receive CPR from a bystander, and only 10 percent survive.
More than 400 red-clad supporters gathered at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort on Valentine’s Day. The event was chaired by Denise Sanford, vice president and community banking manager for Community West Bank.
“As chair of this year’s event, our goal is to raise awareness about heart disease and stroke in our community. By supporting research and education, we can improve more lives and give Santa Barbara families more precious time together,” Sanford said.
After the event, American Heart Association Greater Central Coast Regional Director Angela Miller-Bevan reported to Noozhawk that the amount raised after the final tally was more than $150,000.
Montecito resident and cardiac survivor Michelle Mallet knows well that the statistics are dismal. Patty Swenson spoke to the audience about her own experience. She attended the 2017 luncheon and learned the symptoms of a heart attack.
“My daughter’s life was saved by hearing Michelle’s heart attack survival story,” Swenson said.
Swenson, the mother of college student Kathryn Kendrick, said she was prompted to send her daughter to see a doctor after she realized Kathryn was experiencing similar symptoms.
Additionally, local cyclist Jon Hyde talked about surviving a widow-maker heart attack.
“I never thought I was a candidate for a heart attack,” he said. “I was cycling daily, never ate dairy and had never tasted alcohol. Thanks to the quick action of my wife in getting me medical attention, I survived.”
Elizabeth Teagle, a member of the Go Red for Women Executive Leadership Team in Monterey County, was decked out in matching red boots, a jacket and a purse. An enthusiastic supporter, she goes to Go Red for Women luncheons in Dallas and across the Central Coast of California.
Guests enjoyed the Hilton chef’s creative, heart-healthy lunch, which included a butternut squash salad with lemon dressing and miso bass with edamame relish over mashed potatoes with charred broccoli. The event also featured a health and wellness expo.
Nationally, the American Heart Association is sponsored by CVS Health with $10 million-plus in funding.
Local sponsors included the Cottage Heart & Vascular Center, Paseo Nuevo, Sansum Clinic, Montecito Bank & Trust, the Lampson Team at Homeowners Financial Group, Pacific Western Bank, Community West Bank, First American Title Santa Barbara, Farr, Johnen & Associates, Village Properties Realtors, VNA Health, Brown & Brown Insurance, MarBorg Industries, Radius Commercial Real Estate, LogMeIn Inc., CenCal Health and WFG National Title Co.
The 2020 Santa Barbara Go Red for Women Executive Leadership Team included chair Denise Sanford, Justin Anderson, Paula Bottiani, Connie Boyd, Karen Chackel, Jill Fonte, Steve Golis, Jonathan Johnen, Dianne Johnson, Austin Lampson, Michele Mallet, Stephanie Petlow, Catherine Remak and Tony Vallejo.
American Heart Association Greater Central Coast Division board members for 2019-20 include Taylor Holve (president), Renee Grubb (chair), Denise Sanford (chair-elect), Michael Shenoda, Page Bahura, Connie Boyd, Tyler Dobson, Jill Fonte, Sarah Jaimes, Susan Rodriguez and Michele Schneider.
One in three women is living with some form of cardiovascular disease that kills one woman about every 80 seconds. To treat, beat and prevent cardiovascular diseases, women should understand family health history, know their numbers and make lifestyle changes such as moving more, eating smart and managing their blood pressure. Risk factors that are within women’s control include smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, poor diet, obesity/overweight and diabetes.
For 15 years, Go Red for Women has provided a platform for women to come together, raise awareness, fund lifesaving research, advocate for change and improve the lives of all women everywhere. Connect at GoRedforWomen.org or call 888.MY.HEART (888.694.3278).
Click here for more information about the American Heart Association, or contact Liz Faris at 520.405.1337 or liz.faris@heart.org.
— Noozhawk contributing writer Rochelle Rose can be reached at rrose@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkSociety, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Become a fan of Noozhawk on Facebook.