Amy's Blog

Feathers Were Flying !

We are so fortunate to live in a city that embraces important causes; in this case, heart health. I was blown away yesterday (Wed.) by the crowd at the "Go Red" luncheon held at the Franklin Marriott in Cool Springs. More than four hundred women and men (yes, there were quite a few guys showing support) came decked out in great looking red attire. I doubt anyone was disappointed by the program put together by the American Heart Association and sponsored by among others, St. Thomas Heart.

The featured speaker was Ginger Zimmerman, who I know I'll never forget and it's safe to say, no one else will. Ginger, the mother of 3 boys and an artist, gave a very personally moving talk about what she's been through as a heart transplant patient. I cannot do her story justice here, in print, but I will give you a snapshot of what she shared with the crowd. Ginger, who lived in Baton Rouge at the time,  had been sick in her late 20's with a virus.  But after that illness, she continued to go downhill for months afterwards, and none of the countless doctors she saw diagnosed her with what ultimately was discovered as congestive heart failure. She was near death by the time it was discovered and given a very grim prognosis. But Ginger's life was saved. A donor heart was found. Despite that wonderful news, her story didn't have a happy ending. Ginger's husband, who was an off-shore surveyor in Louisiana, was flown by helicopter to see her after her transplant. On the way, the pilot lost control of the chopper and it crashed into the Gulf of Mexico. They were spared, though, because of pontoons on the helicopter. Still, it was a very rough landing. When Ginger saw her husband in the hospital, she said he looked gray and he did tell her he had a headache and what felt like whiplash from the accident, but was OK.  He wasn't.  He later collapsed and nine days after Ginger's heart transplant, her dear husband died of a brain bleed. As Ginger shared her horrific story, you could hear a pin drop in the room.  I don't know how she survived, but she said her faith and you know her love for her three sons got her through.

    Each year, the "Go Red" luncheon features excellent speakers, like Ginger, who share their stories as heart survivors. It brings home the message that heart disease is enemy number one when it  comes to our health. Heart disease kills more women than any other illness.  But we can do so much to control our heart health.  Eat an apple instead of a cookie, take the stairs instead of the elevator. Spread the word to your friends and loved ones. Find out your cholesterol numbers, blood pressure, body mass index and make sure you discuss your risk of heart disease with your doctor.

   We have the power to change the statistics and see more women live longer, richer lives. Long enough to see their children get married and have families.

    Yesterday, we raised 40 thousand dollars in the room during the luncheon-and with a generous match of 25 thousand dollars from the Ayers Foundation, a total of 65 thousand dollars was generated for heart research and education!  That's pretty powerful. Every woman who made a pledge received a red boa...and there were red feathers flying. Thanks to all who walked away with feathers stuck to their clothing-a sign of opening their hearts for the greater good.

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