Minnesotan Women Share their Stories and Passion

For the past six years, Go Red For Women has been the American Heart Association’s solution to save the lives of women across this country by helping them turn simple lifestyle choices into life-saving actions.

Whether it’s eating healthier, exercising more, quitting smoking, or committing to visit the doctor every year, Go Red For Women empowers women to take these steps toward a healthier life.

We know that Go Red For Women is working!!! Since the movement began, 750,000 women across the country have joined. As a result of signing up to join the movement, 96 percent of those women have reported they were motivated to take action to live healthier.

We met several of these women at the Twin Cities first-ever Go Red Casting Call at the Mall of America on Wear Red Day, February 6, 2009. We reached a couple hundred women with important health messages at the event and nearly 40 women chose to sit down and share their personal stories with us on camera.

We met Lynn, who chose successfully to quit smoking this past year after more than 40 years of smoking.

A young lady named Maya was moved to live healthier after she lost her mother to a heart attack at age 48. In honor of her mom, Maya chose to fit exercise and healthy eating into her life and has since lost 50 pounds.

We were touched by Amanda who found herself in congestive heart failure just weeks after giving birth to twins. Today she chooses to make time to listen to her body, for her health and the future of her children.

Thanks to all those who attended the casting call and shared their stories. The Minnesota and National winners will be announced May 31, 2009. Stay tuned!