Take your seat at the table. Join other outstanding and dedicated women and men at the Syracuse Go Red for Women luncheon. Hear the survivor stories, remember the expert advice, and Make it Your Mission to share in the commitment to fight the No.1 killer of women.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Make Your Open Your Heart Donation Here
Melissa Entenmann
Clinical Educator
Novo Nordisk Clinical Education Program
Melissa began her career as a clinical dietitian at New York University Medical Center in New York, NY. She has more than 20 years of experience in nutrition and wellness working in healthcare, the pharmaceutical industry, and instructing at colleges and Syracuse University. As a certified diabetes educator, she was the Director of a Diabetes Center. She is passionate about improving the health of communities and serves on many community boards, committees, and coalitions.
Melissa holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition from Cornell University and a Masters of Science degree in Nutrition and Physical Fitness from New York University. She completed her dietetic internship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
SURVIVOR
Melissa Cussen
Hi, my name is Melissa - I am a 33 year old mother and wife and on July 6, 2007 at age 30, my life changed forever – I became a heart attack survivor.
I began experiencing a dull ache and pain in my neck and shoulders the day before my heart attack. As a new mother to my then 9 month old son Jacob, I thought it was nothing serious since I was getting used to carrying and lifting his car seat everywhere.
The following morning I was still not feeling well. My husband Dan said, “Maybe you’re having a heart attack.” I laughed it off and said I cannot be having a heart attack, I am 30 years old.
At the time I was experiencing symptoms I didn’t know that my grandfather had a heart attack at age 30. My doctor had said that while my cholesterol was high, I was young and in childbearing years and that it wasn’t something to be concerned about.
Later that morning while Dan ran in to get coffee, I stayed in the car with Jacob. I then began to feel severe chest, back and arm pain. Dan rushed me to Urgent Care still not thinking it was anything serious. I was hooked up to an EKG and told I was having a heart attack. An ambulance took me to the closest hospital where a cardiac catheter procedure was performed to clear the blockage in my artery and implant 2 stents. Once the stents were implanted I immediately began to feel better.
While in recovery with my family, a nurse came to make sure that I was feeling okay and brought me lunch. At that time my arms started to tingle again and as soon as she stepped out of the room I went into cardiac arrest. An AED was used to re-start my heart and I spent the next two days in the intensive care unit.
Today I live with an implantable defibrillator because I am at risk of cardiac arrest. My cholesterol is closely monitored because my body produces too much and my son, now 3 years old, will begin having his cholesterol tested at age 7.
After my heart attack I decided to write out birthday cards to Jacob just in case I was not here to give them to him personally. I was able to give him his 3rd birthday card last week and with your continued donations you will be helping women like me give their children birthday cards for years to come.
I wouldn’t be here today with the research that has been funded by the American Heart Association, and since my recovery I’ve become an active member of the Go Red for Women movement. I hope I can help inspire other women to know their numbers and risks for heart disease.
Breakout Sessions
Get inspired. Get informed. Join health and fitness experts, medical professionals, and women like you to hear the concrete steps you can take today for better heart health.
KAYLA SITTERLY
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AMY ROBBINS
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When I was born in the fall of 1989, my parents couldn’t have been happier. They said I was perfect, so tiny and cute. more... |
For the past three years I have been honored to emcee the American Heart Association’s annual Go Red for Women Luncheon in Syracuse and am looking forward to returning again this fall. more... |