The American Heart Association, a nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, has announced that the 2021 York/Adams Go Red for Women event will be a free digital experience this year. Go Red for Women events nationwide have moved to digital formats due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event will be held via Zoom on Thursday, Feb. 18, at 5:30 p.m. It is designed to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease, the No. 1 killer of women, and to support the fight to end heart disease and stroke. The event is co-chaired by Mary Winand, client services associate at The Financial Advisory Group, and Lisa Duffy, director of marketing and development at UPMC Hanover. The York/Adams Go Red for Women digital experience is sponsored nationally by CVS Health and locally by WellSpan Health, York Traditions Bank, UPMC and other supporters.

The York/Adams Go Red for Women digital experience will be hosted by Lori Burkholder of WGAL. The event will include presentations from women's health experts at WellSpan Health and UPMC as well as the stories of seven local survivors of all ages. Guests will have opportunities to support the American Heart Association by texting YORKADAMSGORED to 41444 during the event and by participating in the online silent auction. The silent auction will open prior to the event on Tuesday, Feb. 16, at 8 a.m. and close as the digital experience begins on Feb. 18 at 5:30 p.m. More information about registering for the digital experience and silent auction is available at http://www.Heart.org/YorkPAGoRed.

While nearly 80% of cardiac events may be prevented, one in three women live with some form of cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association. Heart disease and stroke can affect a woman at any age. To prevent cardiovascular disease, women should understand their family health history, know several important numbers and make lifestyle changes like moving more, eating smart and managing their blood pressure.

In the past 17 years, the American Heart Association has reached tens of millions of women and health care professionals with lifesaving resources. It encourages public health organizations, government entities, health care professionals and community organizations to join forces and provide solutions to improve awareness of cardiovascular disease.

Additionally, the American Heart Association and Verily's Project Baseline launched Research Goes Red to encourage women to sign up for and participate in clinical trials. More details are available by visiting http://www.GoRedForWomen.org, clicking on "Research" under "Get Involved" and clicking "Join thousands of women in the fight against heart disease."

For more information on the York/Adams Go Red for Women digital experience, readers may visit http://www.Heart.org/YorkPAGoRed. They may learn more about Go Red for Women at http://www.GoRedForWomen.org.