A familiar face will take the stage at the Go Red for Women Luncheon and Festival of Red later this month.
Syracuse University graduate and supermodel Emme will be the keynote speaker for the event, which takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, at the Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center at Oncenter, 800 S. State St., Syracuse. The luncheon program starts at noon.
The American Heart Association started the international Go Red for Women campaign in 2004 as a way to raise awareness about the prevalence of heart disease in women. Cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, claim the life of a woman about every 80 seconds. The campaign aims to share health facts to save lives — about 80 percent of cardiovascular disease is preventable.
The Go Red for Women campaign brings together thousands of women working to lead healthier lives and build healthier communities. Its aims are to:
- Provide women with opportunities to prioritize and take charge of their own health
- Build communities that support and provide access to healthy choices
- Demand equal access to healthcare for all women and their families
- Increase opportunities for women in STEM for future generations
The Go Red for Women Luncheon and Festival of Red is the movement’s main annual event. In addition to raising funds for the American Heart Association, the luncheon includes stories from survivors, opportunities for networking and advocacy and an empowering environment focused on eliminating a top killer of women.
This year’s event features a keynote address by former Syracuse Woman Magazine cover woman Emme, a positive body image advocate and supermodel. Emme, twice named to People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People list, was the first celebrity advocate to speak before a Congressional subcommittee in Washington, D.C. to increase public awareness of eating and body image disorders. She is a cancer survivor, a spokesperson for Revlon, a mom and a longtime advocate for body positivity. She is also a graduate of Syracuse University and works with the SU fashion design department on the Fashion Without Limits program.
For more information about the Go Red for Women luncheon or to get your tickets, visit syracusegored.heart.org.
