$90,000 Raised for Women

More than 200 community leaders came together to celebrate heart health at the recent Inland Empire Go Red For Women Luncheon. The event raised $90,000 for the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Go Red For Women campaign aimed at bringing attention to heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women. Sarah Ortega, the passion speaker, took guests back to 2012 when she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and an enlarged heart. “In my mind, I was going to die,” said the inland Empire wife and mother of three. “My husband would have to raise our children alone, my parents were going to lose a daughter, and my babies would never understand why they had to grow up and live the rest of their lives without their mom. I’ll never see them reach important milestones like going to prom, graduating from high school, or getting married. I’d never get the chance to meet my future grandchildren. How could this all be ripped out of my hands before I even got near it?” Today, Ortega wears a pacemaker to keep her heart in a normal rhythm and will likely need a heart transplant within the next five years. Dr. Warren Peters, Director of LLU’s Center for Health Promotion, delivered the keynote address, where he talked about the growing problem of addiction to sugar and starch, which contributes to obesity and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. “We all have to be activists and use our money. Just don’t buy the stuff. The industry is not going to self-discipline. We are going to have to do it ourselves. In your own home and in your own way, use these starches and sugars as infrequently as possible,” Peters said. During the program, two individuals received the Lifestyle Change Award sponsored by San Antonio Community Hospital. Theresa Palencia, a wife and mother of two, and Telecia Cooke, business owner and mother of three, were recognized for making lifestyle changes that positively impacted their health. Palencia lost over 100 lbs. and Cooke shed 80 lbs. as a result of her efforts. This year’s event was co-chaired by Dr. Dan Miulli, attending neurosurgeon at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC), and his wife Sandy, founder of Helping Those In Need, which provides assistance to children in India; and Dr. Anthony Hilliard, interventional cardiologist at Loma Linda University (LLU), and his wife Tammy, a counselor and educator. Before the luncheon got underway, guests bid on silent auction items, took pictures with friends at the photo booth and attended educational breakout sessions.