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Sisters in Red learn to care for their health
By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK
YOUNGSTOWN
It started out as 100 Sisters in Red, became 200 Sisters in Red and is now 300 Sisters in Red.
Three hundred women learning to take better care of their health was the goal for this year’s event, said Ruth Quarles, committee chairwoman.
They didn’t reach 300, but about 250 women wearing red to show their support for women’s heart health awareness participated in Saturday’s 12th annual 300 Sisters in Red event.
“Heart disease is a major killer of women – all women,” said Quarles. “So we are trying to help people be more aware of taking care of their heart.”
While some risk factors, such as age, race and family history, can’t be controlled, there are factors that can be, such as weight, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
“So we are trying to make women more aware of their own risk factors,” Quarles said.
About 46 vendors, some medical and some not, offered information on their services.
“We have phenomenal support from the community,” Quarless said.
Included in the event were cholesterol, hemoglobin A1C (test for diabetes), blood pressure, body fat, bone density and stroke-risk assessment screenings, the Joanie Abdu Mammography Van, the Mercy Health Mobile Dental Van and breakout sessions on reducing stress, relaxation techniques, healthy eating and breast cancer. During lunch, Dr. Hayah M. Kassis spoke about stress and its impact on health.
Vera Darnell and Diane Dawson, both of Youngstown, attend every year.
“It’s very important to come and be aware of heart disease,” Darnell said.
Heart disease, diabetes and breast cancer run in her family, she said.
She learns something new every year, she said. This year, she was particularly interested in the information on stress.
“This year, I decided to be stress-free,” she said.
Both Darnell and Dawson took advantage of the blood testing.
Dawson said she likes visiting the vendors to gather the information she’s interested in.
“Not only do I learn,” she said, “but I take it back into the community and let them know.”
The event was sponsored by the Youngstown Chapter of Links Inc. and Mercy Health.