Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital recently participated in the annual Northwest Arkansas Go Red for Women Luncheon. SSMH was a table sponsor and staff members volunteered as greeters and hostesses. The event helps raise women’s awareness that heart disease is their No. 1 cause of death.

Women who understand their risks of heart disease, and know the steps to prevent it, are better equipped to avert this serious – and mostly preventable – threat to their health.

The morning’s event and luncheon which followed were a mix of education, motivation, passion for the cause, fun and laughter. Several women from Siloam Springs attended and showed their enthusiasm for the cause.

Various vendors from Northwest Arkansas displayed some of their environmentally friendly products as well as many health-related booths. The opportunity to join Northwest Health System’s Healthy Woman program was available to participants and many signed up to make a commitment for a healthier lifestyle. A heart-friendly breakfast of oatmeal with various toppings was available and later, at the luncheon, a heart-healthy meal was served.

Many women vied for the chance to be the winning bidder during the silent purse-onalities auction. Sponsors had purchased purses and filled them with products which reflected their personalities from jewelry, books, coffee and mugs, to tools, computer accessories, scarves and more. The highest bidders received the purses and their contents after the auction closed. Donations from the purse auction totaled around $6,811.

The luncheon featured two speakers as well as a live auction for a red Swarovski crystal bag donated by Peggy Knight of Tobi Bags LLC. The bag was sold for $1,000. A Siloam Springs auctioneer, Esta Faye Combs, donated her services to auction the purse which was valued at $820.

The first speaker was Suzanne Metzger, Ph.D., who has been studying women’s friendship. Throughout her presentation, Metzger shared jokes and inspirational words which signified the importance of having friends and their positive impact on women’s health.

Keynote speaker was LaDonna Gatlin, who grew up singing with her brothers, the Gatlin brothers. Gatlin spoke about how one defining moment can redefine one’s life and to live one’s own dream. Gatlin has spent her career empowering people to “sing their own song” and to live life from the inside out through their words, deeds and actions.

Before Gatlin took the stage, the American Heart Association made a donation plea to the more than 800 guests who attended. Through that plea, more than $15,000 was raised at the event. Overall, the money raised for the American Heart Association was more than $121,000 which is a 93 percent increase from last year.