Season in South Florida seems to be revving up. There’s a lot to share in the departments of medicine and fitness for local Fit Life readers.
Support Group reaches out to Women with Heart Disease
First on deck, Boca Raton is officially a site for WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease. The national network of support groups, open and free to all women living with heart disease or who are at risk for heart disease, will have its first monthly meeting in Boca Raton on Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. in the Sandler Pavilion at Boca Raton Regional Hospital (701 N.W. 13th St.).
WomenHeart champion and Boca Raton resident Rhoda Kitzes will be hosting the meetings. Kitzes earned her stripes as a WomenHeart support network coordinator after attending last year’s WomenHeart Science and Leadership Symposium in Washington DC. Each year, dozens of heart disease survivors from around the U.S. learn how to become volunteer community educators and support network coordinators at the WomenHeart symposium.
A press release from the National Coalition of Women with Heart Disease revealed the following statistics. The results are based on a survey of women participating in the WomenHeart network that asked about how the network impacted them:
- Ninety three percent felt their quality of life and understanding about heart disease has been enhanced.
- More than 85 percent have improved communication with their health care providers, as well as believe that attending meetings has helped them deal with challenges in maintaining their treatment and medication regimens.
- More than 86 percent believe attending meetings has helped them better explain their heart disease to family members, friends, co-workers and others.
“Heart disease can be a very emotionally and physically isolating condition for women,” Kitzes says in the release. “The national network of WomenHeart Champions leading support networks in local communities enables women to have the camaraderie and support they need to make the lifestyle changes necessary to live a heart healthy life.”
For more information, contact Rhoda Kitzes, WomenHeart Support Network Coordinator, at 561/235-5515 or email WH-BocaRaton@womenheart.org. To learn how to get involved as an advocate and much more, visit womenheart.org.
Lace up for Making Strides against Breast Cancer
There’s still time to sign up and raise funds for the Making Strides against Breast Cancer 5K on Saturday, Oc. 25, starting at 8:30 a.m. in Mizner Park in Boca Raton.
West Boca Medical Center is the silver sponsor of this year’s event, committing to raise $2,500 or more. The hospital’s breast health specialist, Dr. Cheryl Moss-Mellman, is chairing the 5K.
To sign up for or donate to the event at 590 Plaza Real, click here.
Season in South Florida seems to be revving up. There’s a lot to share in the departments of medicine and fitness for local Fit Life readers.
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About Lisette
Lisette Hilton, president of Words Come Alive, has had the luxury of reporting on health, fitness and other hot topics for more than 23 years. The longtime Boca Raton resident, University of Florida graduate and fitness buff writes for local, regional and national publications and websites. Find out more on wordscomealive.com.