Power of Red Luncheon Comes to Hillcrest, Feb. 3.

Heart disease can be deadly and is a serious topic. More than one in three female adults has some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD – a combination of all cardiac diseases and all strokes.) According to the American Heart Association, since 1984 the number of cardiovascular disease deaths for women has exceeded those for males.

It’s clear that ongoing education about CVD is needed.  Next Thursday’s Power of Red luncheon, hosted by Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center’s Foundation, will be an opportunity to educate women about the risk factors for heart disease and how to better manage them.  It will also be an opportunity to celebrate those in attendance who have survived various types of heart disease and stroke, and to highlight six women in particular.

Angie de La Cruz of Rancho Cucamonga was only 49-years-old last August when she noticed pain in her left arm and thought she had injured it some unknown way.  She also had pain in the left side of her chest and, though more severe at times, never went away.  She was short of breath and, as a long-time diabetic, she knew her less than acceptable diet was driving her blood sugar up.  She saw her cardiologist who did an angiogram and announced that she would need quadruple by-pass surgery in short order.

Like most women under 50-years-of-age Angie had a hard time accepting her medical situation.
“I was fairly young with a husband and three young adult daughters,” said de La Cruz.

The Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery was successful but de La Cruz now bears a scar from the 7-inch incision running the vertical length of her chest wall.

“It’s odd,” says de La Cruz, “but I’m proud of my scar.  It reminds me of my surgery and that I am a survivor.  And, it also reminds me that I have to take care of myself!”

De La Cruz now monitors everything she eats and refers to candy and other sweets as “poison.”  She works out regularly and even uses the Wii Fit program as part of her routine.  She has also been referred by her cardiologist to PVHMC’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.

Five other survivors from other cardiac and vascular conditions, along with de La Cruz, will be featured at the Power of Red luncheon to be held at the Meeting House at Hillcrest in La Verne.  Other highlighted survivors and their medical condition include: Janette McDonald of Claremont, Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI); Olivia Pember of La Verne, Electrophysiology; Thelma Guffey of Ontario, Heart Failure; Frances Woody of Pomona, Stroke; and Rogelia F. Mendez of Pomona, Targeted Temperature Management for Cardiac Arrest.

Dr. Haritha R. Alla, a new cardiologist in Pomona and a member of PVHMC’s Stead Heart and Vascular Services team, will speak on “The Tools You Need to Fight Heart Disease.”

The Power of Red luncheon will be held Thursday, February 3 from noon to 2 pm.  The cost is $50 for the luncheon or $100 for both the luncheon and a Power of Red membership.  All guests are asked to please wear red!  For reservations please call 909 865-9139.

The proceeds from the luncheon will benefit PVHMC’s Stead Heart and Vascular Center’s Stead Heart for Women program.
About Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center –

Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center is a 453-bed, acute care, nationally accredited hospital serving the greater Pomona Valley.  It is one of only 227 hospitals in the country to be named a recipient of the HealthGrades 2010 Outstanding Patient Experience Award.  PVHMC has also been recognized nationally as a Benchmark Hospital by Thomson-Reuters for earning the 100 Top Hospital designation four times in the list’s thirteen-year history; PVHMC is one of only two California hospitals given this Benchmark distinction. For more information please visit our Web site at www.pvhmc.org