WS Chronicle

Photo by Todd Luck

BY TODD LUCK 

THE CHRONICLE

American Heart Month kicked off with a day focused on women’s heart disease on Friday, Feb. 3, which included a Zumbathon and health fair held by Red H.E.A.R.R.T (Help Educate & Reduce Risk Today) at the Gateway YWCA.  It’s the seventh time the Zumbathon has been held by Red H.E.A.R.R.T., which advocates for heart health in children, teens and women. The evening event ended a day of activities at the YWCA, which featured Zumba and other exercise activities for seniors and children. Hundreds filled the facility’s gym for the Zumba workout, which was lead by various local Zumba instructors.

Along with the dance workout, there was a part of the gym devoted to an exercise boot camp for those who wanted a more vigorous workout. Tables, many filled with health information, lined the walls of the gyms.

“I want to teach people as much as possible about heart health,” said Red H.E.A.R.R.T Founder Cheryl Lindsay. “It’s the number one killer of women and men, but it’s 80 percent preventable.”

Heart health is a personal issue for Lindsay. She lost her mother, who was 46 years old, to health disease and has other relatives who’ve had heart attacks. She said that’s why she encourages everyone to get screened and practice healthy eating and exercise.

Many organizations participated in the health fair. Winston-Salem State University’s Rams Know How did health screenings. Links was giving out information about childhood obesity and Hepatitis C. Students in Kennedy High’s ProStart Academy served heart healthy, gluten-free granola bars. The American Heart Association and Women Heart gave out heart health information. There were a variety of vendors selling handbags, jewelry and clothing as well as other goods and services.

Sherrie Hamlin-Robinson was among the attendees who made her way around the booths–including sampling the Kennedy students’ granola bars– before participating in the Zumba workout.

“I’m trying to develop a healthier lifestyle,” she said.

The event was one of many held for the American Heart Association’s National Wear Red Day, which is part of its Go Red for Women initiative. Go Red held a breakfast at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center that morning. During the event, a proclamation for Go Red day was read and there was a kick off for a fitness challenge for local businesses.  Also during the event, Keshia Horn, Nicole Hernandez, Frann Paige and Betty Speaks were declared 2017 Forsyth Go Red Women, who will publicly share their health stories throughout the year.