Jamayla L. Long is special events director for the American Heart Assn. The Heart Association is hosting the Lawrence Go Red for Women Luncheon from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Lawrence Holidome, 200 McDonald Drive. Long will talk about the healthy heart issues for women as well as the Go Red event.

Moderator

Welcome. This is Dennis Anderson, managing editor of the Lawrence Journal-World. I will be moderating today’s online chat with Jamayla L. Long, special events director for the American Heart Association. Welcome Jamayla.

Jamayla L. Long

Thank you Dennis! I am very happy to be able to do this. The American Heart Association is always glad to have an opportunity to inform people about cardiovascular disease.

kbritt

What is the goal of the Lawrence Go Red for Women Luncheon? How much do you expect to raise? And will there be a third annual event?

Jamayla L. Long

The goal of the Go Red for Women Luncheon is to provide an experience that will motivate women to become proactive about improving their quality of life. Women will learn how easy it is to prevent the long-term effects of cardiovascular disease. We hope to raise $20,000 to provide research and education for women’s health. This year will be the third year for this event in Lawrence. The event will take place on Feb. 14, 2007, at the Holiday Inn, Holidome. The event will start at 10:30 a.m. with an expo and silent auction. The luncheon will begin at noon, with a fashion show emceed by Cathy Hamilton, director of Boomergirl.com, and the Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Michelle Dew of Cardiovascular Consultants. If you would like to attend, please call 913-652-1907 to purchase tickets. Tickets cost $50.

kbritt

Can you tell me about the Lawrence event? Why did you decide to have it on Valentine’s Day?

Jamayla L. Long

We decided to have the event on Valentine’s Day because the theme of the Go Red For Women movement is Love Your Heart. And since Valentine’s Day is the day of love, I thought it would be great to have the event on that day, so that women can take time out to show themselves some love by educating themselves on living a heart-healthy lifestyle.

ChristyLittle

Jamayla, what are some other events throughout the year that support the American Heart Association?

Jamayla L. Long

Another upcoming event that the American Heart Association will be hosting in Lawrence is the HeartWalk. This is a non-competitive event focusing on exercise while raising money in support of education and research. This event is for everyone. Families and corporations are encouraged to attend. The HeartWalk will take place in the fall of 2007. I look forward to seeing everyone on Feb. 14.

kbritt

How did you become involved in Go Red for Women?

Jamayla L. Long

I am passionate about this cause because the number 1 health killer for women is heart disease. Working for the American Heart Association allows me the opportunity to inform women about this disease, and give them the tools that they need to prevent it.

mpaget

Can you bring us up to speed on the latest research/treatment developments in women’s heart health?

Jamayla L. Long

One of the new programs that the American Heart Association has implented this year is “The Online Heart Checkup”. This is an online assessment that will tell you your risk of heart disease based off of your health history. Please visit www.goredforwomen.org, to access the Heart Checkup, and to learn more about the new developments of prevention of heart disease for women.

Moderator

There will be a fashion show during the Go Red luncheon on Feb. 14. Where did you get the dresses and who are the models?

Jamayla L. Long

Weavers Department Store here in Lawrence is our Fashion Show Sponsor. They will provide all of the dresses and accessories. Modeling the dresses will be Donna Bergmann of the Lawrence Journal World. Megan Berry, Brittany Taylor, and Kassie of the American Heart Association. Donna is very excited to be a model because her family was personally affected by heart disease.

Moderator

I want to thank Jamayla Long for her time today talking about heart healthy issues. Good luck with the Go Red campaign and the luncheon on Feb. 14.

Jamayla L. Long

Thank you. Also, I would like to thank our sponsors, Lawrence Journal World, Boomergirl.com, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Cardiovascular Consultants, Capitol Federal Savings, and AARP of Kansas, for supporting this wonderful event, because without them this would not be possible.