First Coast’s Go Red for Women movement recently reached a new milestone during its annual celebration at the Florida Blue Conference Center. The group of volunteers, advocates and staff members raised $500,000 for the American Heart Association campaign, the proceeds of which will go to cardiovascular research, education and awareness.
Attending the event were Florida Blue CEO Pat Geraghty and his wife, Inger, who served as chairs of the Go Red for Women campaign. Pat Geraghty emceed a fashion show orchestrated by MIA Styling CEO Mel Intemann featuring survivors as models. Local CEOs Russ Thomas, Eric Mann, Darnell Smith, Jack Cullen, Steve Halverson and more acted as model escorts.
In addition to the fashion show, the celebration featured a red carpet event; the presentation of three-dimensional printed busts of survivors; screenings provided by Mayo Clinic, Brooks Rehabilitation and Baptist Health; and a production by First Coast News about heart transplant recipient Annemarie Ward.
Next year’s celebration is scheduled for May 2017 as part of Go Red’s year-round mission to raise funds and awareness for heart health.
The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement was created in 2004 to empower women to learn more about heart health. Since then, more than 900,000 women have joined the movement to educate women and provide awareness of women’s cardiovascular health.
