Theresa Conejo and Gene Julliet, AHA advocate
Carol Mignoni Ferguson,Aunt Rose Marino Kirk, Ann Mignoni Mundy
Mill Street Goes RED 2015
by Cate Murway
Heart Disease Awareness is represented by the color red.
Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease in the United States, an equal opportunity killer for both sexes, even though it is sometimes thought of as a "man's disease". It claims approximately 1 million lives annually. According to the Centers for Disease Control [CDC] and the American Heart Association, 1 in every 4 deaths is caused by heart disease.
It has been called the Silent Killer because often there are no noticeable symptoms. It's more deadly than all forms of cancer combined and it’s not just "an old man’s disease."
Arrhythmia [irregular heartbeat], heart failure, high blood pressure and cholesterol, cardiomyopathy [heart muscle disease], and stroke are other heart diseases or conditions that also have an effect on the heart. In one way or another, cardiovascular disease affects all Americans. It may affect you, a family member, or a friend. Coronary artery disease is the most common type of cardiovascular disease. It affects the interior arteries in your heart which gradually build up and clog with plaque, becoming narrow, decreasing the flow of blood to your heart, the primary cause of heart attacks and strokes. This is called atherosclerosis, and can lead to chest pain or eventually a heart attack. More and more young people are affected by heart disease, in part because diabetes and childhood obesity are on the rise.
More than 1.5 million people will have a heart attack this year, with about 1 million deaths as a direct consequence of heart attacks. That amounts to a death every 30 seconds.
You may not have any warning before having a heart attack or stroke. Approximately 50% of men and 64% of women who died suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms of this disease.
You can win the war against heart disease by making a few simple and profound, dietary and lifestyle changes.
Talk to your doctor.
Know your risk factors.
Take charge of your heart health!
This year's ‘Mill Street Goes Red 2015’, part of the National Heart Disease Awareness program, is dedicated to the late Ann Louise Mignoni Mundy, a dearly beloved and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. Her kind soul and manner endeared her to all who knew her.
The entire Mignoni family is a longtime supporter of “Mill Street Goes Red”.
Rosemarie Mignoni Szczucki shared, “We are honored that our sister, Ann is being remembered in this program that we have supported over the years. Mignoni Jewelry & Irish Gifts displays red ribbons in the window and we have sold the Red Dress lapel pins.”
The red dress has become the iconic symbol of the battle against heart disease in women.
Nationwide, more than 25 million Red Dress Pins have been worn to support the cause and more than 2,000 landmarks light up in red on National Wear Red Day.
Christine Mundy Leffler just lost her mom. “Awareness is crucial. Any symptoms need to be checked. Nothing is insignificant.”
Heart Disease Affects Everyone so Don’t be Silent about the Silent Killer!
What’s more powerful than the killer? Millions of mothers, sisters, daughters and friends, speaking up.
Theresa M. Conejo, formerly involved with the Latino Alliance, is the Lower Bucks HeartChase Mission Chair, a Cardiovascular Nurse of thirty years at Nazareth Hospital in NE Philadelphia, and a volunteer advocate for the American Heart /Stroke Association. As mission chair it is her job to communicate the AHA mission to the community all year round.
Theresa came up with the plan to do a ‘Go Red For Women’ event in historic Bristol on the Delaware.
“Wear Red, Shop, Dine, and Get Fit on historic Mill Street!”
National Wear Red Day® — the first Friday each February — is the special day to bring attention to this silent killer of women. Everyone is encouraged to wear red, raise their voices, know their cardiovascular risk and take action to live longer, healthier lives.
This is the 4th Annual Mill Street Goes RED for the American Heart Association's National "Go Red For Women" Campaign. The businesses, organizations and residents of Mill Street in historic Bristol Borough will wear red and distribute heart awareness literature and make the pledge to live a healthier life.
Heart disease is the #1 killer of women and oftentimes the symptoms are gone undetected. Be sure to shop on Mill Street on Friday, February 6, 2015 and WEAR RED to show your support of this very important issue.
Donations from the community are crucial and are deeply appreciated. They help fund vital research, develop guidelines for health professionals, support patient care and generally help everyone to live healthier lifestyles.
Theresa has successfully recruited support.
“Eddie Lee Wilson, owner of Bristol Ink, LLC at 323 Mill Street will again be presenting his "Hearts In February" in conjunction with the "Mill Street Goes Red" 2015 Event.”
Eddie Lee is passionate about the cause and awareness aspects, and the reasons for his campaign are personal, because so many members of his family have suffered from heart failure. He lost his father, Rayford Lee Wilson, Jr., an overseas oilfield production worker; an uncle, his grandfather, Rayford Lee Wilson, Sr. and his grandmother, Edith Wilson, who all passed away from heart disease.
“I need something to give back somewhere, something no one else is doing. “
He will be hosting the "Hearts in February" event, offering $10.00 from every select heart tattoo to the AHA for the entire month of February. His “kick off day” at the store starts with healthy heart educational material, smoking cessation material, and diet and exercise information.
Last year, Eddie Lee raised almost $3,000. His Bristol Ink, LLC will also be participating in ‘The 17th Annual Philadelphia Tatoo Arts Convention’ held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, located on Arch Street in Philadelphia on Saturday 2.14.15. “My goal is to do more than 200 hearts.” Participants may choose from the custom designs offered or bring in their own design. Eddie Lee will also have a "Wall of Love" where those who prefer not to tattoo can sign and make a donation to the AHA cause.
He sent out a challenge to the other businesses.
Fellow entrepreneurs stepped up! Open Center Yoga will be offering a Free Yoga Class for ‘Mill Street Goes Red’ on Friday, February 6th from 11:00AM- 12:15PM. Lorean, founder and owner/ instructor, will be leading the group. Open Center Yoga is located on 100 Wood Street, right off Mill Street.
Bring your own mat, or there are mats available. Both men and women are invited!!
Nona's Loving Care Learning Center will be going Red on Friday February 6th as well. The Child Care center is located on 100 Prospect Street, originally the Bristol Borough RR Station building.
Many thanks to Shea Wendowski Cialella and the Bristol Borough Business Association [BBBA], as well as Lower Bucks Hospital, and National Penn Commercial Bank and First Federal of Bucks County, for their continued support.
Theresa is looking for a prominent ‘Bristolian’ to agree to dye his/her hair red for that day [no worries…. temporary dye, of course] for the cause. Contact Theresa TerryGoRed@yahoo.com.
For more information, go to the AHA website: www.goredforwomen.org
P.S. there is no such thing as just a little heart attack.
Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
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