Jessie Cannizzaro
Why I'm Fundraising
I'm excited to be nominated for Go Red for Women's Woman of Impact campaign. As part of this year's class of changemakers, I've brought together a team that's working to make the greatest impact possible on women's health. We will be raising much-needed funds for the American Heart Association and working to improve the health of our communities. I hope we can count on your support!
In 2004, Go Red For Women was born as a campaign to raise awareness among women about their greatest health threat — heart disease. Slowly, the campaign grew into a movement bringing together thousands of women. Go Red for Women is the trusted, passionate force for change. It provides a platform for women and their families to lead healthier lives and transform communities. It's not just about wearing red. It's not just about sharing heart-health facts. It's about:
- Providing opportunities for women to take charge of their health
- Building communities that support access to healthy choices
- Demanding equal access to health care for all women and their families
- Increasing women in STEM in upcoming generations
Our team is focused on preventing heart disease and stroke. We're promoting healthy lifestyles, building awareness and raising critically-needed funds to support research and education initiatives. Cardiovascular diseases, which include heart disease and stroke, claim the life of a woman about every 80 seconds. We hope you will join us on our mission because about 80% of these diseases may be prevented.
The time is now. Women are leaning into the idea that when we take a stand, commit, and work together, real change is possible. To support my campaign, click on the Donate to Nominee button below.
Milwaukee Woman of Impact - Spring 2026
Jessie Cannizzaro
I am honored to have been selected as a 2026 Woman of Impact nominee for the American Heart Association of Milwaukee. This opportunity holds deep meaning for me, my family, and our team.
Just weeks before I was invited to participate, I lost a very close friend due to complications from a heart surgery - an unexpected and heartbreaking reminder of how urgently continued education, prevention, and research are needed.
This loss reopened wounds from 11 years ago, when we lost another close friend to unmanaged heart disease. He was only 39 years old, leaving behind his wife and their beautiful children. His passing was devastating, and he is missed every single day.
Many people don’t know that I’ve been managing hypertension for nearly eight years, beginning shortly after my oldest son was born. My high blood pressure continued through three miscarriages - losses I carried with me for a long time, often blaming myself and my health as the cause. That hypertension worsened during my pregnancy with my youngest son, igniting constant fear of losing him, and still requires daily management today.
Just over a year ago, one of our Milestone team members nearly lost his wife when she went into sudden cardiac arrest in their living room on a Sunday afternoon. He performed lifesaving CPR until help arrived - an act of courage that ultimately saved her life. Their experience was a sobering reminder that cardiac emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. It reinforced how critical it is to be trained and prepared, and deepened our commitment to supporting the American Heart Association’s efforts to expand CPR education and heart-health awareness.
The grief, fear, and hope from each of these experiences have strengthened my resolve to be part of the solution. Stepping into this campaign is deeply personal for me, my family, and our team. It is a way to turn loss into purpose and help expand access to the education, resources, and research that can save lives.
Together, we stand for those we’ve lost, those still fighting, and those we can still save. Thank you for being part of this mission and for helping make a life-saving impact. ❤
