Ogunquit News
Go Red for Women to host "A Woman's Awareness Journey"
By Jennifer L. Saunders
Thursday, Nov. 2, will bring two special events to the Cliff House Resort and Spa with a goal of raising awareness of heart disease and helping women to find the resources to take better care of their heart health. As part of the fun, area florists have created centerpieces with designer red shoes donated from across the globe.
Courtesy photo
That morning, the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign will sponsor a public seminar entitled, "A Women's Awareness Journey." And that evening, a special collection of symposia with the theme "On the Edge of Awareness" will feature an opportunity to learn about the latest medical breakthroughs in women's heart health issues.
"Because of the great response to our sell-out Project Redway fashion show in August, we have decided to expand our Nov. 2 program to include a morning symposium for the general public," said York Harbor resident and 2006 Go Red for Women Chairwoman Denise Rubin in an announcement of the upcoming event, which will be held from 9 a.m. until noon.
And just as fashion designers, models and local residents joined in the fun for the Project: Redway fundraiser, local florists are adding to the festivities of "A Women's Awareness Journey."
Danie Connolly of Go Red for Women explained the committee has received designer shoes from all over the world - including red tango shoes from Paris, wooden shoes from Holland and more - and area florists have used them to create centerpiece for the Nov. 2 event to be judged by a certified floral jury.
"If somebody just comes and they just want to see how the shoes are decorated and they happen to have their cholesterol checked, we've done our job," Connolly said. "The greatest gift you can give your employees is the morning off so that they can come to this."
The goal, as Connolly and Rubin have explained, is to create an upbeat event where women will have the opportunity to learn more about heart disease - the number one killer of both men and women in the United States - in a non-threatening environment. The morning will even include a chance to get that holiday shopping done early, with a silent auction featuring more than 200 items.
"I encourage all women to step toward the edge of awareness at the Cliff House and learn more about their heart health," Rubin said. "… We hope everyone will find time to join the Go Red for Women movement and be a part of this event."
A $15 admission fee will support Go Red for Women and includes access to free bone density testing, cholesterol testing, guest speakers, alternative medicine clinics, holistic seminars, roundtable forums the silent auction and the chance to see two dozen fabulous shoes decorated for the one-of-a-kind centerpiece competition. Light refreshments will also be provided. For more on the Nov. 2 event or on Go Red for Women in general, visit www.goredforwomen.org or call (800) 937-0944.
Later that same day, the 4 to 8 p.m. On the Edge of Awareness dinner event will feature entertainment and seminars, as well as a panel of guest speakers that includes Dr. Dervilla McCann. One of the many highlights of the evening portion will be the inclusion of the floral centerpieces as part of the live auction.
"We wanted to have fun with our centerpieces," Rubin said, adding that Project Red Shoe has served as "the perfect compliment to the Go Red for Women's campaign of the red dress."
And that's not the only fashion-related portion of the evening. Macy's of South Portland is sponsoring a unique scarf that all those who attend the evening event will be able to take home.
"It's not the messenger, it's the message," Connolly said of these efforts to bring together a spectrum of mainstream and alternative healthcare providers on the subject of heart health.
To become a sponsor or reserve a guest table at the American Heart Association's On the Edge of Awareness evening symposia, contact Brenda Quinn at 879-5700.
