HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) - February is American Heart Month, and for 21 years, the Hampton Roads Go Red for Women initiative has worked diligently to close the gap in cardiovascular disease awareness.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. According to the American Heart Association, more than 44% of women ages 20 and older are living with some form of cardiovascular disease.

The Go Red for Women Luncheon was held in Hampton at the Hampton Roads Convention Center, on a very appropriate date this year — Valentine's Day. It is one of many events the American Heart Association puts on locally.

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This year's luncheon featured CNN primetime Anchor and Chief Legal Analyst Laura Coates as the Keynote Speaker. She spoke with WAVY before the event about why it is important to her.

"It is so important for all of us to prioritize our health, particularly women, to understand the imbalances and the ways we're tugged and pulled in different directions," she said, "but to always prioritize our health, because like so many of us now, you have to put on your own mask before helping others. And so many of us take that for granted."

During her speech at the Convention Center, she shared the idea of giving ourselves grace and also figuring which balls to drop and which ones can bounce back.

"That's the most important guidepost for so many people," Coates said. "We're going to be inundated with stress factors all across this world, but we have to really lead our own charge, be our own champions, and wear our own jerseys."

WAVY News 10 Anchors Katie Collett and Aesia Toliver were invited to emcee the event.

WAVY News 10 anchors Katie Collett and Aesia Toliver were invited to emcee the Go Red for Women luncheon on Feb. 14, 2025.

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There were hundreds of guests in attendance, who donated generously during a live fundraiser.

The luncheon also featured a fashion show, with models who have survived cardiovascular and stroke-related events.

"Thank you for the organization and allowing this to come together, because I think so many people are focused on the politics of life as opposed to the people of the United States and who we are together," Coates said. "And I think this is a unifying experience. They were all joining in together today with a common mission of heart health being the most important thing."

Click here if you would like to open your heart and make a donation to the American Heart Association.

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