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VIDEO: Red Hat Luncheon Recap
A special thanks to attendees, the planning committee, vendors and everyone who made the 4th Annual Rhonda D. Wright Red Hat Healthy Heart Symposium and Luncheon spectacular! Check out this video for a recap of the event.
On Saturday, February 15, ASCI hosted the 4th Annual Rhonda D. Wright Red Hat Healthy Heart Symposium and Luncheon. The luncheon, named for Rhonda D. Wright, honors the late ASCI executive and beloved sister of Dr. Sharon McDaniel, the agency’s founder, president and CEO. Mrs. Wright, who died due to heart disease, was an ardent champion for children and families. Both Wright and McDaniel grew up in kinship care and foster care.
“We call this event Kin-Hearted because we know that women naturally pass on wisdom and education to their family and friends. This means that together, we can save lives by educating women on heart health—and that education can be fun, entertaining and useful all at the same time! As a devout community partner, A Second Chance, Inc., is committed to elevating awareness of heart health and cardiovascular disease. We see it as one important way to bridge the gap of health inequities, particularly among under-served populations of color.”
Dr. Sharon L. McDaniel
This year’s keynote speaker, board chair for the American Heart Association of Greater Pittsburgh Bruce Benda, survived a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in September of 2014. He shared his story in order to create awareness and learning opportunities for others regarding the importance of heart health. His important takeaways were:
- Get your blood pressure numbers.
- Own your lifestyle.
- Realize your risk.
- Educate yourself.
- Don’t be silent.
The day’s panel discussion, “This Was Not on My Agenda,” was moderated by Marlin Woods, Executive Chairman at Benefits PLUS and the American Heart Association Board of Directors’ Chairman of Executive Leadership. The panel participants included Dr. Darrell Rubin, MD, PhD; Tammy Bey, VP Business Analyst of BNY Mellon; and Bishop Loran E. Mann of Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ. Dr. Rubin shared the importance of knowing the risk factors of heart disease. Tammy Bey and Bishop Mann shared their personal stories about how experiencing heart attacks has affected them.
Although this event was informative, it was also fun-filled! The Bill Henry Band entertained the crowd with a fantastic music set; men and women turned heads with their incredible red hats; and participants won amazing prizes, including a 40″ television. ASCI also provided a catered lunch, workshops, shopping with vendors, cooking demonstrations and more to promote better heart health!
Roland Ford, dance instructor for Dance and Be Fit, led numerous line dances to teach attendees how to stay active and keep a steady heart rate. These dances were fun, interactive and easy enough for all ages.
