We are a team of strong, health conscious women coming together to raise awareness about the #1 killer of women - heart disease. Even as a breast cancer survivor, I recognize that heart health is what really needs to be top of mind for all women and girls. And there are easy ways to avoid it.

This challenge is personal. I lost my mom, Cissie McLeod, just two months ago to congestive heart failure. She had her first by-pass surgery at 43. In fact, she and my Dad had surgery on the same day (I was 10) and were designated the first husband and wife back-to-back by-pass team. Mom had a second by-pass 10 years later. All in, she had 19 stents, one code blue, two heart surgeries, and too many heart caths to count. My sisters and I believe we are honorary cardiologists at this point. (My favorite cardiac term to impress the doctors is Ejection Fraction.)

Mom was very involved in the AHA in my hometown of Lake Charles, Louisiana. She chaired the Heart Ball and raised thousands of dollars to fight this horrible disease. She was recognized by the AHA as their equivalent of a Woman of Impact. I will never be as amazing as my mom was, but this is one step I can take to celebrate her life and do my best to help others avoid the long journey of heart disease. She is why I exercise daily, get my cholesterol checked annually and ask my talented Chef husband (Painted Bench) to prepare heart healthy meals.

Let's not just Go Red for Women. Join me to Go Red for Cissie! 

Look to the right for unique opportunities to participate!

* Select a "heart healthy virtual cooking class" by my talented husband, Chef Stephen Rohs or

* Select a "3 workout (virtual) bundle" from Denver's own Laura Nigro of Balm

It’s not just about wearing red. It’s not just about sharing heart health facts. It’s about all of us making a commitment to stand together with Go Red for Women in the fight for heart-health equality.

The time is now.

When we take a stand and work together, real change is possible. 

Together, we can make an impact.