SEATTLE, April 15, 2024 — Hannah Hooper, a 26-year-old heart transplant recipient and stroke survivor from Redmond, Wash., joins Miri Gentzkow at the American Heart Association’s 2024 Puget Sound Go Selected as a Red for Women Women of Impact recipient. A 14-year-old congenital heart disease survivor from Seattle and recipient of the association’s 2024 Puget Sound Impact Teen Award. Mr. Hooper and Mr. Gentzkow earned their respective titles for their innovative fundraising efforts and efforts to improve health outcomes in the Puget Sound community. The Women of Impact and Teens of Impact efforts support the American Heart Association’s mission to be a relentless force for a world where everyone lives longer, healthier lives, and the Women of Impact Of Impact has a special focus on women’s health through the association’s Go Red for Women movement. .

Whitney Meidle, Executive Director of the American Heart Association Puget Sound I am grateful.” “Our work is not done yet, but we have made significant progress. Our community is stronger and our future is brighter.”

For nine weeks, Ms. Hooper and her colleagues competed for the title of Women of Impact and supported the Go Red for Women movement by raising funds and participating in women’s health education and awareness activities. The movement is a comprehensive platform designed over 20 years ago. Raise awareness about women’s heart health and act as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women around the world.

Mr. Hooper’s participation is personal. He suffered a stroke in 2016 during his freshman year of college and was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy. She was placed on the heart transplant list and underwent surgery to be fitted with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) to help her heart pump while she waited for a new heart. She suffers another stroke during surgery and spends three months in a semi-conscious state, and when she wakes up, she has to relearn to walk, talk, and navigate the world as a blind person. did not. Hooper received a heart transplant in 2018 and now lives a full and active life. During the Women of Impact competition, Hooper and her team of supporters hosted yoga and line dancing classes, spoke to local groups, and organized a Valentine’s Day tea with a scavenger hunt. They also raised $145,244. “I’m grateful that I’m alive today because of the American Heart Association and her work,” Hooper said. “It was truly incredible to see how our community came together to support this cause and together with the American Heart Association we were able to make a huge impact. I hope that no one else has to go through what I went through.”

At the same time, Gentzkow competed for the Teen of Impact title, motivated by a desire to further advance medical science to help patients with congenital heart disease like herself. Gentzkow was born with a heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot and has undergone two open heart surgeries and cardiac catheterization. Although she expects more surgeries to be performed in the future, she is hopeful that advances in cardiac science will make them less invasive. “The biggest thing I gained from this campaign was a deeper understanding of myself and the courage it gave me to go out into the world and make a difference. “I want to do this for all survivors of congenital heart disease,” Gentzkow said. During the Teen of Impact competition, Ms. Gentzkow spoke in front of large groups, encouraged the community, hosted her own fitness classes, and made hundreds of friendship bracelets to share with donors. Gentzkow’s team raised $64,707.

The Women of Impact and Teens of Impact national initiatives launched in more than 100 cities on February 2nd, National Wear Red Day. In Puget Sound, 15 women and their teens were nominated to participate, and at the end of the nine-week contest he had raised $389,000. To support the important work of the American Heart Association and Go Red for Women. As the association celebrates its 100th anniversary,^th As we celebrate our birthday in 2024, the efforts of these people are critical to saving lives from cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death for Americans, and promoting health and hope for all.

To nominate a candidate for the 2025 Women of Impact or Teen of Impact competition, visit the Go Red for Women website here.

For more information about the American Heart Association in Washington, visit heart.org/washington.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association works tirelessly to help the world live longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with thousands of organizations and the power of millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for public health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. In 2024, our 100th anniversary, we celebrate our rich 100 years of history and achievements. As we move forward into his second century of bold discoveries and impact, our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. heart.org, Facebook, X Or call 1-800-AHA-USA1.Visit the American Heart Association in Washington at heart.org/Washington or on Facebook, Instagram, or X.

About Go Red for Women® 

A signature initiative of the American Heart Association, Go Red for Women® is an inclusive initiative designed to raise awareness of women’s heart health and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women around the world. It is a platform. Although the majority of cardiac events are preventable, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, claiming one out of every three women’s lives. For over 20 years, Go Red for Women has been raising awareness. This movement harnesses the energy, passion and strength of women to unite and eliminate heart disease. You should know your risk for heart disease and take actions to reduce your personal risk. It also gives you the tools you need to live a heart-healthy life. The Go Red for Women movement is sponsored nationally by CVS Health with additional support from national cause supporters. Learn more about.GoRedforWomen.orgOr call 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721).

Media inquiries:

Valerie Koch, Valerie.koch@heart.org

Francesca Minas, Francesca.minas@heart.org