HOLLYWOOD, Fla., March 21, 2025 – On April 11 at 11:00 a.m., the annual Go Red for Women Luncheon will be held at the South Florida Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood. This inspiring American Heart Association event honors survivors, celebrates heart health achievements, and paves the way toward a future free of heart disease—a condition that claims the lives of one in three women every year.

Bravo’s Below Deck Mediterranean star, Captain Sandy Yawn, will deliver the keynote address, sharing her personal journey with heart health. Yawn experienced an unexpected health scare during a routine exercise class, which turned out to be the result of undiagnosed high blood pressure. Her quick decision-making in that moment ultimately saved her life.

"We are here to celebrate survivors, honor advocates, and most importantly, save lives," says Yawn. "If you don’t know the symptoms, if you don’t know your numbers—this is your moment to learn. Someone’s mother, sister, or best friend is experiencing symptoms right now and ignoring them. Maybe she thinks it’s just stress. Maybe she doesn’t want to make a fuss. What if your support changes that—what if it saves a life?"

The program will feature an Open Your Heart moment and the presentation of The Relentless Heart Savers Community Lifeline Award to Pamela Africk, a heart survivor and lifelong advocate. Africk has dedicated herself to raising awareness, funding advocacy, and ensuring that women everywhere have access to life-saving knowledge.

"Ten years ago, I reached another pivotal moment in my career. I became deeply involved in the mission of raising awareness about women and heart disease," said Africk. "I heard statistics that changed everything for me. The first was that one in three women die from heart disease. The second, which absolutely shocked me, was that heart disease kills more women than all cancers combined. That realization fueled my passion—if we could educate, if we could raise awareness, we could save lives."

"Pam Africk is my ‘why.’ Watching my best friend survive a widowmaker heart attack changed my life in profound ways I never anticipated," says Randi Gold, Circle of Red chairperson, American Heart Association, Greater Miami-Fort Lauderdale. "Her miraculous recovery and relentless advocacy remind us how fragile life is—and how powerful our actions can be.

Raising awareness about heart disease isn’t just important—it’s urgent. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, but it doesn’t have to be. Losing even one life is one too many. Pam has dedicated her life to ensuring that every woman—regardless of background—has access to the care she deserves. It is an honor to celebrate her as this year’s recipient of the Relentless Heart Savers Community Lifeline Award."

For 20 years, Go Red for Women has worked to improve awareness and close clinical care gaps in heart disease for women. As the movement celebrates this milestone, the American Heart Association urges all women to take charge of their health and create lasting change in their communities.

"Go Red for Women supports women's health and well-being at every age, stage, and season of life," said Marisol Vera, Executive Director of the American Heart Association, Greater Miami-Fort Lauderdale. "By coming together and supporting the women in our community, we can make a lasting impact."

As women age, their risk for heart disease evolves. It remains the leading cause of death among women, surpassing all cancers combined. Nearly 45% of women over the age of 20 live with some form of cardiovascular disease. Alarmingly, heart disease is the leading cause of maternal death in the U.S., with pregnancy-related deaths on the rise.

Despite these risks, younger generations—including Gen Z and Millennials—are less likely to recognize their greatest health threat or understand the warning signs of heart attacks and strokes. That is why it is crucial for all women to take charge of their heart health—and to empower others to do the same.

The Go Red for Women movement is nationally sponsored by CVS Health Aetna and the South Florida Go Red for Women Luncheon is locally sponsored by Amazon, Florida Power & Light Company, Jose Milton Foundation, City Furniture, Broward Health, LaCroix Sparkling Water, Blue Legacy Ventures, Marsh, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, VITAS Healthcare.

For more information, visit: South Florida Go Red for Women, Go Red for Women Circle of Red or contact Mallory Weintraub at mallory.weintraub@heart.org.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, it funds groundbreaking research, advocates for public health, and provides critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, the association works tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with the American Heart Association at heart.org, on Facebook, X, or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

About Go Red for Women®

The American Heart Association’s signature initiative, Go Red for Women®, is a comprehensive platform designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women globally. The Go Red for Women movement is nationally sponsored by CVS Health, with additional support from national cause supporters. For more information, visit GoRedForWomen.org or call 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721).

 

Go Red for Women® Circle of Red

Circle of Red is Go Red for Women’s annual giving society, made up of passionate individuals who are in the fight against heart disease and stroke in women to win.

 

For Media Inquiries:

Melissa Solis, Melissa.Solis@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org