The Crowd: Go Red raises plenty of green
More than 500 women, many dressed in red from head to toe, converged on the Hotel Irvine for a recent Friday luncheon and health expo produced by the American Heart Assn.
The occasion was the annual Go Red For Women Luncheon, which combined the serious topic of women’s heart health with exhibits featuring makeup, fashion, jewelry and other feminine pursuits.
The day began with a health expo that included stations dealing with subjects such as blood pressure, body mass index, exercise and heart-healthy eating. On the lighter side, the cosmetic firm Estee Lauder provided a lipstick touch-up station, and vendors also displayed handbags, jewelry and other fashion-related items.
The luncheon at the Hotel Irvine featured an address from Annette Walker, executive vice president of strategic services for St. Joseph Health. Walker served as chairman of the 11th annual Go Red For Women Luncheon in Orange County. Harry Greenspun, director of the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions, joined Walker in speaking to the large audience. The event is sponsored nationally by Macy’s and in Orange County by St. Joseph Health and Edwards LifeSciences.
Also front and center in speaking to the crowd was Trish Mahler, who shared her story about the effects of heart disease on both of her parents. Additional VIPs in the crowd included Rochelle Karr, director of attorney professional development for law firm O’Melveny & Myers LLP. Karr also serves as chairwoman for Circle of Red, which is an adjunct of the American Heart Assn.’s Giving Society that recognizes donors who make annual contributions of $1,000 or more. Also on hand was Doug McKay, representing national sponsor Macy’s.
The luncheon event raised an impressive $435,000, which will benefit the American Heart Assn.’s heart disease and stroke programs in addition to funding research. Dedicated support came from a wide cross-section of the local community. Among the generous were Alfred and Dorothy Spigarelli, Bret and Marnie Wall, Dean and Gerda Koontz, John and Phyllis Newson, Mike and Debi Bolin, Robert and Janet Osborn, and Randy and Barbara Highland, to name only a few.
Also supporting the cause were Aimee Weisner, Anita Bessler, Kimberley Adler, Sara Myla, Elizabeth MacLean, Lisa Perrine, Sandy Crawford, Stacey Pugh, Suzanne DeJong and Wendy Roehrig. A significant part of the financial success of the event came from silent auction donations and in-kind contributions made by Orange County business sponsors.
Among the donors were Costa Mesa 55 Tavern and Bowl, Fashion Island’s Kendra Scott, The Winery Restaurant Newport Beach, Fleming’s Steak House Fashion Island, Lark Creek Restaurant, Mastro’s Steak House, Red O Restaurant, Seasons 52 Grill South Coast Plaza, Sprinkles Cupcakes and Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion.
Coming up on May 9, the Orange County Heart Ball will unfold at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel. The black-tie evening will be chaired by Alfredo Molina and Renee Dee. For reservations and information, go to https://www.heartballoc.ahaevents.org.
The annual Go Red For Women campaign is all about raising awareness that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in America. Part of its purpose is also to provide tools needed for women to lead healthy lives. To learn more, contact Tamara White at tamara.white@heart.org.
THE CROWD runs Fridays. B.W. Cook is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.
