Community Memorial Goes Red to Raise Awareness for Heart Health

Community Memorial (CMH) proudly hosted its annual Go Red event on February 6, uniting patients, caregivers, clinicians, and community members to raise awareness about heart disease—the leading cause of death for women in the United States.

Again hosted in conjunction Colgate University’s CU Wellness Program, this year’s event centered on the power of prevention, early detection, and compassionate care, highlighted by a moving patient story and recognition of CMH’s dedicated cardiovascular team.

A powerful moment of the event came from a personal story from patient Christine, who courageously shared her personal heart health journey. Her story underscored the importance of listening to one’s body, advocating for care, and having access to a trusted medical team.

Donned in red, attendees also had the opportunity to meet members of CMH’s Center for Cardiology, who led a panel discussion about risk factors unique to women, advances in cardiac care, and the importance of lifestyle changes and routine screenings. The team’s expertise and commitment to patient-centered care were on full display throughout the event.

“Events like Go Red allow us to connect beyond the exam room,” said Dr. Avneet Singh, Chief of Cardiology and event panel leader. “Education, awareness, and real patient stories are powerful tools in preventing heart disease and saving lives.”

Event guests were encouraged to wear red in solidarity, engage in educational conversations, and share resources with friends and family to help spread awareness well beyond the event itself. National Wear Red Day is held annually on the first Friday in February. On this day, employees and medical staff at Community Memorial Hospital wore red to show support for heart disease awareness and for understanding its risks. Heart Disease remains the leading cause of death in America, killing more than half a million individuals each year, but there is good news: according to the American Heart Association, 80 percent of cardiovascular diseases are preventable. The American Heart Association recommends that individuals know their numbers: cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, body mass index (BMI) and their family history.