Annual 'Go Redding Luncheon' returns in person for the first time since the Pandemic

REDDING. Calif. — February is American Heart Month, to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease, which is actually the number one killer of women, according to the American Heart Association.

The Go Redding Annual Luncheon was hosted at the Redding Holiday Inn on Hilltop Drive, welcoming over 500 people to help raise awareness of heart disease amongst women.

Shasta Regional Medical Center Cardiologist, Dr. Mohamed Khan, told KRCR, just how much more women are affected by heart disease than men. “More women will die from heart disease than all forms of cancers combined,” Dr. Khan said.

In fact, according to Shasta Regional Medical Center, 1 in 5 women will experience some form of heart disease in their lifetime.

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Making the Friday morning luncheon for women's heart health awareness even more important.

“We love getting the education into the community so that the community understands the need for us to look after ourselves as women. it's a very hidden disease in women," said Redding local, Mimi Moseley.

Women's heart health is very different from men's in the fact that on average women wait 37 minutes longer than men before they call 911 for heart or chest pain. That is why women are more likely to have larger heart attacks, more likely to have more complications during heart attacks, and more likely to die during a heart attack,” Dr. Khan added.

The sea of red filled the hallways and slowly filled the conference room to recognize women's heart disease and celebrate the beauty of community and awareness.

KRCR spoke with keynote speaker, Rachel Freemon-Sowers, about just how important it is to have events like the luncheon in the community. “I believe that it is so important for women to have this resource because we are so powerful. and it is time to begin to notice the power that we have within us and that is what we are here to do and this event will help us do that.”

The Go Redding Luncheon was held in person for the first time since the pandemic. Women and men from all over gathered to hear speakers and recognize just how important women's heart health awareness is.

I want people to know that it is absolutely possible for people to experience their life the way that they want to.” Freemon-Sowers continued, “when the heart is not only aligned in a physical health but an emotional health and a spiritual health that is when you actually get to experience your life and be 100% yourself 100% of the time no shame or guilt needed.

Dr. Khan told KRCR awareness of heart disease in women has decreased in recent years, which is why events like the Go Redding Luncheon are so crucial for the community.