Group photo from the Go Red Event.(Photo by Destini Simon/Carolina News & Reporter)
The city had a heart-to-heart with its community recently to raise awareness for heart disease.
The Go Red event hosted a press conference on Friday that brought together a variety of speakers who highlighted startling statistics about women’s heart health.
“Deaths from heart disease increased by 3.3% … the largest increase in heart disease since 2012,” Councilman Will Brennan said. “ … About 700,000 people died from heart disease in 2023. That’s one in every five deaths.”
Cardiovascular disease, an array of heart issues that can lead to heart attacks and strokes, is the No. 1 killer of women, according to the American Heart Association website.
“There are so many women that take care of everybody,” said Maranda Williams, director of marketing and communications of South Carolina’s American Heart Association. “They take care of their children, their families, husbands, work, all of that. And sometimes we really forget to take care of ourselves.”
Many of the women who spoke at the press conference had been directly affected by the disease and shared their experiences.
The reality of the disease is that it isn’t going away. Such events can teach women to be more proactive about their health.
“Really implementing self-care and being intentional about that” can help, Williams said. “You have to pencil yourself in on calendars.”
The press conference not only brought awareness but also promoted the party the city had on Saturday.
The annual Jump Start Your Heart Day party was held at the Drew Wellness Center on Harden Street.
The party was a way to highlight what was discussed at the press conference and offer a variety of services, such as free health screenings, free massages and an assortment of activities, including yoga, Zumba, and HITT workout classes.
City Manager Teresa Wilson speaks at the Go Red press conference. (Photo by Destini Simon/Carolina News & Reporter)
Councilman Will Brennan addresses the crowd at the Go Red event, alongside City Manager Teresa Wilson and Lizzie Tankersley, the executive director of the S.C. American Heart Association of South Carolina. (Photo by Destini Simon/Carolina News & Reporter)
ABOUT THE JOURNALISTS
Calleen Soper
Soper is a graduate student in the University of South Carolina’s multimedia journalism program. She finished a bachelor’s degree at the state’s Limestone University after moving south from her native Chicago. She completed an internship in sports broadcasting, covering four sports, in 2022. Soper plans to pursue a career in sports.
Destini Simon
Simon is a senior at the University of South Carolina, majoring in visual communications and graduating in May 2025. She also is a photographer for the student-run newspaper, The Daily Gamecock. She strives to be a hardworking and driven storyteller and loves capturing moments that leave a lasting impact.
