Today is the Capital Region’s Go Red for Women luncheon. NYSUT is one of the sponsors of this awareness and education campaign of the American Heart Association. I often forget that heart disease is the leading cause of death in females in the United States, followed closely by cancer. Here’s a link to a 2003 article by Time and unfortunately the statistics have not changed much in nine years.

Not by much, but the statistics have changed. I and 451 others will learn about that today. Besides the medical types, we will hear from cardiac arrest victim Michelle Johnston, who was directly saved by research funded by the American Heart Association.

I will tweet the event using #goredforwomen and bring you more of the story. In the meantime, if you see one of those cool red pins for sale today, (as dozens of cities across our state and more than 200 across the nation host Go Red For Women luncheons this month) or during the first week of February, buy one. A few dollars truly go a long way.