{"id":153663,"date":"2026-02-06T13:13:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T13:13:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/153663\/"},"modified":"2026-02-06T13:13:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T13:13:11","slug":"five-san-antonio-women-fight-womens-leading-cause-of-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/153663\/","title":{"rendered":"Five San Antonio women fight women’s leading cause of death"},"content":{"rendered":"

SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 6, 2026 \u2014 Nearly 45% of women over the age of 20 are living with some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD).[1]<\/a> To kick off American Heart Month this February, five San Antonio community leaders are joining the national Woman of Impact\u2122<\/a> initiative to raise awareness about women\u2019s number one killer and raise funds that will work to end CVD.<\/p>\n

The Heart Association’s Woman of Impact program is rallying five local changemakers, through the Go Red for Women\u00ae<\/a> movement, to improve women\u2019s heart health, address clinical care gaps and raise funds for cardiovascular research and education.<\/p>\n

The Woman of Impact class will begin their campaigns on National Wear Red Day\u00ae<\/a>, Feb. 6. They will compete with nominees locally and across the nation to raise funds to advance the work of the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone, everywhere. As a woman ages, her risk for CVD changes. Still, more than 80% of heart attacks and strokes are preventable. Go Red for Women is committed to meeting the needs of women in every age, stage and season of life.<\/p>\n

\u201cCardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in women, claiming more lives than all cancers combined, and yet less than half of women are aware of this,\u201d said Theresa Rodriguez Scepanski, volunteer co-chair of American Heart Association \u2013 San Antonio Go Red for Women and president and chief executive officer of Community First Health Plans.<\/p>\n

\u201cWoman of Impact nominees will bring San Antonio women together, educate them on their risks and inspire them to take charge of their heart, while encouraging others they know and love to do the same.<\/p>\n

\u201cTogether, we can ensure every woman is heard and seen. When it comes to their heart health, no one has to do it alone,\u201d said Dr. Monika Kapur, volunteer co-chair of American Heart Association \u2013 San Antonio Go Red for Women, and president of University Medicine Associates.<\/p>\n

Woman of Impact nominees will dedicate nine weeks to transforming the health of women in their communities through education and fundraising. Each week, nominees participate in activities designed to create a culture of wellness and advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Nominees also raise critical funds for the American Heart Association so that more women have an opportunity live a longer and healthier life.<\/p>\n

San Antonio\u2019s 2026 Woman of Impact Nominees are:<\/p>\n


\n\tMayra Farret, Fashion Tastemakers Learning Express
\n\tTiffany Galvan, Coach TMG
\n\tNichole Mariakis, Mary Kay and BNI
\n\tSummer Reyes, Texas Regional Bank
\n\tKristy Ward, Menopause Mijas <\/p>\n

After nine weeks of driving impact, the competition will culminate on April 9. The nominee who raises the most lifesaving funds will be named the San Antonio 2026 Woman of Impact Winner. In addition to local market winners, the woman who raised the most nationwide, will be named the National Woman of Impact Winner.<\/p>\n

To learn more about the American Heart Association\u2019s Go Red for Women movement in San Antonio, visit heart.org\/sanantoniogored.<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n

About the American Heart Association<\/p>\n

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public\u2019s health and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0X<\/a>\u00a0or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.<\/p>\n

About Go Red for Women\u00ae\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The American Heart Association\u2019s signature initiative, Go Red for Women\u00ae, is a comprehensive platform designed to increase women\u2019s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women globally. While the majority of cardiac events can be prevented, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, claiming the lives of 1 in 3 women. For more than two decades, Go Red for Women has encouraged awareness. The movement harnesses the energy, passion and power of women to band together and collectively wipe out heart disease. It challenges them to know their risk for heart disease and take action to reduce their personal risk. It also gives them tools they need to lead a heart healthy life. The Go Red for Women movement is nationally sponsored by CVS Health, with additional support from national cause supporters. For more information, please visit\u00a0GoRedforWomen.org<\/a>\u00a0or call\u00a01-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721).\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0For media inquiries<\/p>\n

Reyna Caraveo:\u00a0reyna.caraveo@heart.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)<\/p>\n

heart.org<\/a> and stroke.org<\/a><\/p>\n