AKArama Foundation and AKA to Present Women’s Heart Health Expo February 21 Community Invited to Free Event Featuring Fitness, Food and FUN

AKArama Foundation and AKA to Present Women’s Heart Health Expo February 21

Community Invited to Free Event Featuring Fitness, Food and FUN

This is a serious matter,” is a popular refrain that members of Alpha Kappa Alpha chant when dealing with significant issues. When it comes to health, the sorority has identified heart disease as “a serious matter.” To raise awareness about women's heart health, Alpha Kappa Alpha has partnered with the American Heart Association through its “Pink Goes Red” platform. Held during February, which is designated as Heart Health Month, Pink Goes Red is a sorority-wide impact day led by International President Dr. Glenda Glover. All 1,018 chapters, including those globally, set aside a day to support the American Heart Association’s mission. It also aligns with the sorority’s commitment to women’s health.

Committed to doing their part, members of the AKArama Foundation of Theta Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., are trading their pink and green signature colors for red as part of the “Pink Goes Red” initiative. In the interest of serving the community, the AKArama Foundation is presenting a free heart health extravaganza on Friday, February 21 from 6-9 PM. The event will be held at the AKArama Foundation Community Center at 6220 S. Ingleside. There will be a wide range of activities aimed at boosting heart performance and reversing heart disease. The public is invited and can register to attend this free event at:

http://TOPinkGoesRed.eventbritte.com.

In making the announcement, Veletta L. Bell, president of the Foundation and Theta Omega chapter, shared highlights of this dynamic evening. Said Bell, “There will be information on cardiovascular disease, sessions on fitness, and cooking demonstrations.” Bell added that while the evening will focus on “a serious matter,” it will also include a lot of FUN.

Dr. Causandra McClain Hall, Women’s Health and Wellness Committee Chairman for the Foundation, said the event will feature an assortment of activities that promote heart health including:

•A Hip Hop Hitt Class led by Aniya Foster

•Line Dancing with Mz. Georgia

•African Dance led by Imania

•Cooking Demonstration by Chef David Blackmon.

•Juicing by Stream of Life

Tips on lifestyle changes that prevent heart disease will also be shared.

Hall stated that the motivation behind putting a focus on heart health is the grim reality of heart disease – especially among African American women.

According to the web site, goredforwomen.org, heart disease, and stroke are the number one killers in women. Stroke, which is a by-product of heart disease, disproportionately affects African Americans.

The American Heart Association revealed that even when heart disease and stroke don’t result in death, they cause disability and diminish the quality of life.

Inspired by the statistics and compelling stories, Bell said: “The AKArama Foundation is laser-focused on being a force in sponsoring programs and events that improve lives. This Pink Goes Red for a Day will put a spotlight on the importance of staying heart-healthy. We invite and welcome the public to attend this free event. Attending is an investment in living longer and healthier. That is a serious matter.”

Sponsors and partners for Pink Goes Red are ProFit Studio, Cycletherapy, “The Well,” Stream of Life and UIC’s Physical Therapy Department.

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