National Grid was a proud sponsor of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Celebration in Syracuse in October. This annual event serves as the culmination of the organization’s annual campaign aimed at bringing awareness to the impact of cardiovascular disease in women.

“Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women of all ages in America,” said Alberto Bianchetti, regional director for National Grid in Central New York. “Our pledge as a responsible and caring member of this community is to do what we can to reduce the risk of preventable deaths from cardiovascular illness.”

National Grid was recognized at the celebration for its support of STEM Has Heart. The goal of STEM Has Heart is to encourage more women to discover the possibilities made available in science, technology, education and math careers. The program has opened the door for girls and young women to learn more about these potential career paths through virtual events, including a research lab tour featuring American Heart Association funded researchers. STEM Has Heart places extra emphasis on attracting more girls from racial and ethnic minority communities, which are traditionally underrepresented in STEM careers.

“Research from the American Heart Association has shown that women experiencing cardiac events potentially have better outcomes when treated by a female physician in the emergency room,” Bianchetti said. “Workforce development is a key component of our Project C community initiative and our support of STEM Has Heart and Go Red for Women can have a lasting, life-saving impact on the communities where we work and live.”

Staff of National Grid attend the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Celebration

Go Red for Women is dedicated to removing the barriers women face to experiencing good health and wellbeing. That includes raising awareness of heart disease with women, empowering women to take control of their health, closing gender gaps in research and STEM fields and more. While nearly 80 percent of cardiac events may be prevented, cardiovascular disease continues to be a woman’s greatest health threat. One in three women live with some form of cardiovascular disease and it’s on the rise in younger women.

National Grid gives back to the communities it serves by recognizing the tireless work of nonprofit organizations like the American Heart Association and its work to prevent and educate the community about cardiovascular disease.