The Fab Five Ladies for Go Red of Forsyth Co., NC.

The Fab Five for Go Red of Forsyth Co. are:

Robin Brickey, Paula Hinkle, Jan Smith, Julie Taylor, Sonja Wallace

"In celebration of the 5^th year , that Winston-Salem, NC. has Gone Red for heart disease in women, the Office of Mayor Joines, local Go Red For Women sponsor Forsyth Medical Center and the American Heart Association, held a search to find five amazing women from Forsyth County that were either heart attack survivors, heart disease survivors or have made lifestyle changes to prevent heart disease. These women will be the Faces of Go Red in Forsyth County for the year, helping other women in our community prevent and fight heart disease in women!”

For the past 2 years since surviving the heart attack that almost took my life (which I allowed to happen) I have lost over 100 lbs., having about 60 lbs. more to go, have stopped smoking, have starting eating healthy, run 6 miles a day and have completed 3 half marathons. But the biggest accomplishment I have under my belt since God told me to get up off my butt and to get moving and get healthy has been working with my local American Heart Association.

Sarah Fedele, Director of Communications & Marketing for American Heart Association Mid-Atlantic Affiliate has been my contact and biggest promoter. I told her I wanted to help educate people on getting rid of and preventing this disease from killing or  hurting any one else. She took me up on my offer and has put me to work, getting my story out to the public. She calls me when she needs a speaker for a group meeting or a warm body to put on the news (twice already) 2012 Go Red Day: See here. Also a story on my heart attack and running 2013 Go Red Day: See here.

So when my friend Stephanie Tickerhoff sent me a message on FaceBook to go to the local AHA page and submit my story I was on auto pilot, not that I didn't care, I just didn't think I would be picked for this contest. Because I was doing so much already for Sarah. However, God is always in control and He has big plans for me to help others.

After a few weeks, I got a call from Sarah, the first thought was "What does she need me to do now?" But she was calling to let me know that I was one of the five women picked for the 2013 Go Red Campaign for Forsyth Co. I had totally forgotten I had entered this contest. I was floored that I was picked, the fun was about to begin, to start they put us on the news (see above), they put us on Bill Boards all around town, had us rub elbows with The Mayor of Winston-Salem, NC. We will also be doing Fashion Shows (not sure about that) and many more functions and events.  With all that I am very excited to be a part of this campaign. Not only for the opportunity to get our stories out, but to educate and to work with the other four wonderful ladies involved and of course, Sarah, she rocks.

I will be documenting all our adventures during this campaign. I hope to be introducing the other Fab Four Ladies here in this Blog. So stay tuned.

Left to Right: Paula Hinkle, Julie Taylor, Sonja Wallace, Jan Smith, Robin Brickey