McDONALD — The American Heart Association has presented village councilwoman Kerry Reckard with the 2022 Tri-County Go Red for Women Woman of Impact Award for her dedication and contributions in the fight against heart disease.
Kerry led and participated in more than 10 mission impact activities over the nine-week campaign and led her team to raise more than $44,000 in support of the American Heart Association’s signature movement banding women together to wipe out heart disease and stroke. Reckard is an insurance agent with State Farm.
“Taking part in the Woman of Impact program was personal for me,” Reckard said. “I’m tired of the people I love the most dying of heart disease. My father passed away at the age of 58 from a massive heart attack, leaving my mother a widow at 54. When I turned 54 last year, it was the wake-up call that I needed to learn more about my risk factors, including my family’s history with cardiovascular disease, to continue to make sure my family and I are living longer, healthier lives. I’m honored by this recognition, but most of all I’m incredibly proud of the contributions my team and I have made together in support of the American Heart Association’s lifesaving work.”
Throughout the campaign, Reckard immersed herself and her team in every aspect of the American Heart Association’s mission — to be a relentless force for a world of longer healthier lives. Reckard took charge of her own health and inspired others to do the same.
She advocated for change through the American Heart Association’s You’re the Cure network and focused on spreading education and awareness around Hands-Only CPR, mental wellbeing, the benefits of physical activity and healthy eating. Reckard did all this while hosting numerous fundraisers to financially support the mission of the American Heart Association, according to a news release from the AHA.
“We are so grateful to Kerry and to all of our nominees for their work elevating the Go Red for Women message and raising critical funds in support of our mission,” said Courtney Lockshaw, Development Director for the American Heart Association. “All of these women took on a challenge by becoming the inaugural class of Tri-County Woman of Impact nominees without hesitation. What impressed me the most was their support of one another. Despite the competitiveness of the campaign, these women focused on coming together to bring as much awareness as possible to our community.”
Collectively, this year’s tri-county nominees and their impact teams initiated over 50 direct mission impact opportunities throughout the community and beyond and raised over $94,000 for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement.
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