HEART For Women gaining local support

Joan Ferraro, American Heart Association Go Red For Women Survivor Ambassador
To the editor:
   As a survivor of cardiac arrest and triple bypass surgery 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 Christopher Smith and Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez for support the HEART for Women Act. If passed, this simple and cost-effective bi-partisan legislation will help improve the diagnosis 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 Sen. Lautenberg, Sen. Menendez and Congressman Smith 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.
   Please join me and millions of women across the country on Feb. 1 — National Wear Red Day for Women — by wearing something red. Go red to raise awareness and celebrate life!
Joan Ferraro
American Heart Association Go Red For Women
Survivor Ambassador