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Go Red 5K promotes heart health

by Hollen Dodds
Public Relations

Runners of all ages got their hearts pumping for the second annual Go Red Heart 5K Run & Walk Feb. 11.

MUSC employee Stephanie Carter, who works in the Clinical Laboratory Services Department, was prompted to start the event after her mother, Robin Seay, died from heart disease at the age of 47. "I wanted to turn the loss of my mother into something positive, while trying to inspire other women to become more aware of their own heart health," she said.

Heart disease kills an estimated 630,000 Americans each year and is the leading cause of death for men and women, according to the American Heart Association. Statistics also show that heart disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined. Carter is now an advocate for awareness. "I was unaware of the statistics of heart disease prior to my mother's death. She had no previous signs of symptoms, so it was completely unexpected," she said.

The Go Red Heart 5K is co-chaired by Carter and assistant professor Marian Taylor, M.D., of the Division of Cardiology in the Department of Medicine. Taylor is also determined to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease. "It's important to educate people about the risk factors, and to let them know the importance of regular exercise," she said.

Go RedStephanie Carter, center, is joined by close friends at the Go Red 5K Run & Walk in memory of her mother.

Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina at Patriots Point has hosted the race the past two years. MUSC and the American Heart Association cosponsor the race, and contributions also have been made by several local businesses.
All proceeds from the race go to the MUSC Heart & Vascular Center, the Women's Heart Care Program and the American Heart Association's Red for Women campaign. The race raised $10,000 in 2011. There were about 400 registrants this year, and close to 300 participated. In celebration of National Heart Health month (February), next year's race will be Feb. 9.

Carter hopes her story and the race will encourage people to take action to try to prevent heart disease in their own lives.

"The statistics are very scary, but there is a flipside. Heart disease is largely preventable, and it helps to know there is something you can do about it," she said.

For more information about the 5K, visit http://www.muschealth.com/goredrun.

 

 

Friday, March 9, 2012

The Catalyst Online is published weekly by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. The Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to The Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.