On Valentine’s Day, many associates of Saint Agnes Hospital in Baltimore gathered at St. Bernardine Roman Catholic Church to celebrate the 12th year of the ministry’s Red Dress Sunday program. Red Dress Sunday aims to raise awareness about heart disease in women by connecting with faith-based communities to spread the news about heart disease. More than 180 churches throughout Maryland participated in the annual event.
During the service at St. Bernardine’s, Saint Agnes cardiologist Shannon Winakur, MD, Medical Director of the Women’s Heart Center, and Yolanda Copeland, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, spoke to the congregation about the prevalence of heart disease, risk factors, heart attack warning signs, ways to implement healthy lifestyle changes and the importance of a strong relationship with a primary care doctor. Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Baltimore City Health Commissioner Leana Wen, MD, also took to the podium to share their support for ending heart disease and to encourage the community to start making healthy changes in their lives now.
The St. Bernardine’s congregation then heard from one of their own. Church member Cheryl Weems shared her personal story about heart disease. She recalled a day in November 1998 when she woke up with indigestion. She ignored it until about 3:45 a.m., when she describes a voice clearly telling her, “This is NOT a bad case of indigestion, Cheryl. Call 911.” She heeded that advice and arrived at Saint Agnes, where doctors confirmed she was having a heart attack.
This was a shock to Cheryl, who had no family history of heart disease. Since her heart attack, Cheryl has had several open heart surgeries. While she acknowledges that becoming healthier is always a challenge, she advised the congregation to listen to their bodies.
“See your doctor on a regular basis,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to go, or to be screened. Remember, my heart attack occurred with no warning. Yours could too. The best way to prevent this from happening is to be proactive.”
Following the service, members participated in a health fair that featured many Saint Agnes and community health resources. Many people had their blood pressure checked, or talked with health fair vendors about healthy food options and preventive screening programs. Saint Agnes also hid special hearts throughout the health fair that could be redeemed by their finder for a personal activity tracker.
For more information about the Saint Agnes Red Dress Sunday, visit www.RedDressSunday.com.
