What: Tarrant County Go Red for Women Luncheon
Where: Omni Fort Worth Hotel
The 411: Nearly 500 big-hearted Fort Worth philanthropists, business leaders, and ladies who lunch for a cause donned their best red threads for the annual American Heart Association luncheon, which raises awareness and funds to help fight heart disease and stroke in women in Tarrant County. More than a dine-and-dash luncheon, the afternoon included health screenings, CPR training, cooking demonstrations, and a silent auction.
Athlete, author, and advocate Katherine Switzer gave the keynote address, and Madison Sawyer of CBS 11 emceed.
Cami Thompson, executive director of the American Heart Association Tarrant County division, delivered some staggering statistics about heart disease; for example, a woman dies approximately every 80 seconds from cardiovascular disease, but about 80 percent of the diseases may be prevented, she said.
In a powerful high point of the event, survivor Sheila Jane Reynolds took the stage to give a moving talk about her personal experience. Reynolds, whose mother died of heart disease, chaired the Tarrant County Go Red luncheon in 2010. Since then, she has gone through her own scary and life-changing experience with heart disease.
"This could happen to anybody at any time," she said, joined onstage by her daughter, Emily.
Patrons were motivated to open their hearts and pocketbooks. This year's luncheon, chaired by Karen and Larry Anfin, raised $700,000 to support the American Heart Association's mission. The organization helps fund research, advocacy, awareness, and information to prevent and treat heart disease and stroke, the two leading causes of death around the world.
Who: Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, Barclay Berdan, Sreeni Gudimetla, Joan Trew, Marie “Doc” Holliday, Joseph DeLeon, Lisa Atherton, Rosa Navejar, Michele Reynolds, Melinda Johnston,Camilla Bloom, and Elizabeth McCurdy.
Sheila Jane Reynolds, Emily Reynolds, Camilla Bloom, Elizabeth McCurdy
Maestro Robert Spano leads the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra on opening night at Bass Hall.Photo by Randal Vanderveer
