Go Red for Women Luncheon

American Heart Association Announces

Celebrity Waiters Lineup

for Annual Go Red for Women Luncheon

Alexandria, LA – – The American Heart Association of Central Louisiana has announced that tickets for the Go Red for Women Luncheon are now on sale for $50. The event will be held on Friday, June 14, 2013 at the Alexandria Riverfront Center located in downtown Alexandria at noon. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Tickets may be purchased at www.heart.org/cenlagored or by calling 800-257-6941 ext. 6180.

This year’s Go Red for Women Celebrity Waiters are: Dan Ahrens (Eddie’s BBQ), Jim Villard (City Councilman), Joe Bishop (Police Jury), Dustin Mathews (First Federal Bank), Dan Forest (Actor), Chris Chelette (Valex Federal Credit Union), Chief Loren Lambert (Alexandria City Police), Chris Bellino (Bellino’s Restaurant), Daniel Williams (COA Community Services), Randy Ponthie (Southern Heritage Bank), Jason Cobb (Rapides Regional Medical Center), Jim Beatty (Rapides Regional Medical Center), Rick Ducote (Tax Assessor), Reldon Owens (The Bossier Group of Companies), Dorell Winninger (KALB TV), Tom Cafferata (UTLX), David Christmas (OPT), Mark Brown (Journey Rehab), Al Velotta (CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital), Jeff Tarrant (CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital) and Rodney Smetak (Opus Broadcasting).

Also featured will be local women sharing their stories on heart disease, a silent auction with a wonderful section of merchandise, and complimentary gifts for attendees. Go Red for Women committee members are also selling raffle tickets for only $5 each for three great prizes: an autographed and custom-framed LSU Blue Dog Print (Open Edition) by George Rodrigue, a Michael Kors Handbag donated by Dillard’s Department Store and an elaborate home décor and accessory package donated by Red Door Interiors.

While the primary goal of the luncheon is education, a major function is also to unite women in the fight against heart disease and stroke. Mothers, daughters, grandmothers and the men who care about them will be encouraged to attend together to learn about prevention, risk factors and warning signs of cardiovascular diseases. Attendees are encouraged to wear red to promote cardiovascular health.

The Go Red for Women Luncheon is an opportunity to increase awareness as it is designed to create an informative atmosphere that will encourage women to become heart health champions. Attendees will learn the risk factors — and how to control them — and warning signs of heart disease and stroke, enjoy a free health and education expo, and hear from keynote speaker, Mary Leah Coco. Coco, 31 years of age, from Baton Rouge, LA, is a National Spokeswoman for Go Red for Women and a heart survivor awaiting a heart transplant.

Funds raised through the Go Red for Women Luncheon support heart and stroke research, as well as public and professional education programs. Research funded by the American Heart Association has yielded important discoveries such as CPR, life-extending drugs, pacemakers, bypass surgery and surgical techniques to repair heart defects. Go Red for Women is sponsored nationally by Macy’s and Merck.

The Go Red for Women Luncheon is locally sponsored by: Rapides Regional Medical Center, Paragon Casino Resort, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, CHRISTUS Dubuis Hospital of Alexandria, CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital, Southern Heritage Bank, CLECO, Roy O’Martin and Walker Automotive.

Find “Central Louisiana American Heart Association” on Facebook for the latest updates on all upcoming fundraisers and events. For more information on Go Red for Women, contact Kourtny Bratton at 318-794-9621 or via e-mail at Kourtny.Bratton@heart.org. Learn more at www.GoRedForWomen.org and www.heart.org/cenlagored.

About the American Heart Association

Founded in 1924, we’re the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. To help prevent, treat and defeat these diseases — America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers — we fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit americanheart.org.

About the American Stroke Association

Created in 1997 as a division of the American Heart Association, the American Stroke Association works to improve stroke prevention, diagnosis and treatment to save lives from stroke — America’s No. 3 killer and a leading cause of serious disability. To do this, we fund scientific research, help people better understand and avoid stroke, encourage government support, guide healthcare professionals, and provide information to stroke survivors and their caregivers to enhance their quality of life. To learn more, call 1-888-4STROKE or visit strokeassociation.org. Go Red and Go Red for Women are trademarks of AHA. Red Dress Design is a trademark of U.S. DHHS