Michele Utz, American Heart Association Go Red For Women Survivor Ambassador
To the editor:
As a survivor of a heart attack and quintuple bypass heart surgery at age 37 and as an American Heart Association Go Red For Women survivor ambassador, I am one of the fortunate ones. Heart disease and stroke claim the lives of nearly 14,000 New Jersey women annually. Too many mothers, sisters, daughters and friends die each year from these diseases. Cardiovascular disease is the leading health threat facing women today and it is a problem Congress must address.
Thank you Congressman Jim Saxton and Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez for supporting the HEART for Women Act. If passed, this simple and cost-effective bi-partisan legislation will help improve the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and stroke in women. The HEART for Women Act will also expand WISEWOMAN, a program providing free heart disease and stroke screenings to low-income, uninsured women that is not currently available in the Garden State. This program must be offered nationwide to give women the number one tool in fighting these diseases – the chance for early detection.
I applaud Senator Lautenberg, Senator Menendez and Congressman Saxton for working to reduce the devastating effects of heart disease and stroke in women. Your support of the HEART for Women Act shows you care about helping women, like me, live longer, stronger and healthier lives.
And please join me and millions of women across the country on February 1 – National Wear Red Day for Women – by wearing something red. Go Red! to raise awareness and celebrate life.
Michele Utz
American Heart Association Go Red For Women Survivor Ambassador

