With one in three women affected by heart disease across the nation, awareness and attentiveness to personal health is key to survival.
Stroke survivors Rebecca Welsh and Teri Ackerson shared their stories Friday during the first local Go Red for Women Luncheon hosted American Heart Association, raising funds for research and resources for those impacted by the disease. There were 490 people in attendance.
"It's not just a fundraiser; it's a movement," Becky Collier, AHA corporate events director, said. "Heart disease is a threat to women, and this event helps us to raise even more awareness."
Stacy Welling, event chair for the luncheon, added: "For me, this event is twofold. As women, we are committed to our families, our jobs, volunteerism - so at times, our personal health slips away. This event is a great reminder that we need to focus on ourselves as well. Plus, as the owner of Whaley's Pharmacy, we are committed to our patients' health and help AHA raise funds for anything that would help them live a healthier lifestyle."
Welsh, founder of local teen homeless center HALO, told the audience suffering from a stroke in 2015 was a paradigm shift for her entire family.
While breastfeeding her 3-month-old daughter, she said, her entire right side suddenly went limp.
Welsh said because of her age, she and her husband never would have considered a stroke.
After being hospitalized and treated for the initial stroke, cardiologists explained not only was her heart enlarged on the right side, but she also had a 2-inch hole in her heart that would require open heart surgery.
The night before she had surgery, Welsh said her only prayer was to be able to return to her children's room.
The surgery was a success, but it took a year of therapy and support from her husband and family members before she was able to become fully independent again.
"We now live a much more focused life," she said. "We know the things that matter are on the front of our plate every day. We are focused much more on being stronger and loving each other."
Advocates and sponsors presented several moments through the luncheon to illustrate the importance of a healthy diet, exercise, regular doctor visits, and knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke or heart attack.
KRCG anchor and event emcee Meghan Lane asked guests sitting in designated red seats to stand to highlight the one in three women affected by heart disease. John Crouch, thoracic and cardiac surgeon at St. Mary's Hospital, rapped lyrics encouraging people to live a healthy lifestyle.
At one point, the luncheon paused due to an attendee's medical emergency. Upon departure with medics, the patient left the facility conscious and alert, organizers said.
Attendees didn't let it deter them from staying to hear Ackerson's story of strength, perseverance and survival.
Ackerson was in her 40s when she had a stroke. She has always been an active runner, and at the time, she had just finished a 6-mile run in preparation for her next marathon.
As with Welsh, the incident changed Ackerson's perspective on life, but not her determination to live her life to the fullest.
"Because of my stroke, I had experienced the best day and the worst day of my life," Ackerson said. "I knew my stroke had purpose."
Ackerson is a neuro-certified trained nurse in Kansas City, so she knew the signs and symptoms of what she was experiencing. She remained as calm as possible to keep her son and everyone around her from being nervous.
She was out of the hospital in three days and started intensive physical, occupational and speech therapy.
Throughout her recovery, Ackerson said her son became her biggest help, driving her to and from appointments and ensuring she took the necessary steps to a full recovery.
On one rough day, her son told her, "I don't want to go to law school anymore; I want to be a physical therapist and I can help people like you." That's when she knew her stroke had purpose.
Only 26 days after the stroke, Ackerson was running the marathon she had been prepping for only weeks earlier.
Many attendees said they thought it was a wonderful event to help heighten awareness across Jefferson City. With a goal to raise $20,000 locally, the AHA netted $125,000 from Friday's event, Collier said.
Longtime Jefferson City resident Shirley Davis currently lives with a pacemaker and is willing to support anything heart-related.
Darlene Mickes said her grandson died from a stroke at age 29 in April, so Welsh and Ackerson's stories resonated with her.
A few juniors and seniors from the Jefferson City Academic Center were present to help with event setup and said they wanted to be a form of support for the women who came to attend the Go Red movement.