As a survivor of cardiac arrest and triple bypass heart surgery, and as an American Heart Association Go Red for Women survivor ambassador, I am one of the fortunate ones. Heart disease and stroke claim the lives of nearly 14,000 New Jersey women annually. Too many mothers, sisters, daughters and friends die each year from these diseases. Cardiovascular disease is the leading health threat facing women today, and it is a problem Congress must address.

Thank you, Congressman Christopher Smith and Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, for supporting the HEART for Women Act. If passed, this simple and costeffective bipartisan legislation will help improve the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and stroke in women. The HEART for Women Act will also expand WISEWOMAN, a program providing free heart disease and stroke screenings to low-income, uninsured women that is not currently available in the Garden State.

And please join me and millions of women across the country on Feb. 1 - National Wear Red Day for Women - by wearing something red. Go Red! to raise awareness and celebrate life.

Joan Ferraro

Freehold American Heart Association Go Red for Women Survivor

Ambassador