For the past several years, heart disease has consistently ranked as the leading killer of American women.  According to the American Heart Association, nearly twice as many women in the United States die of heart disease and stroke than from all forms of cancer – including breast cancer.  Yet despite these statistics, many women know very little about the disease. 

To help educate women on heart disease and its risk factors, the Center for Hope’s Hearts of Hope program will hold a special luncheon series.  Called “Hearts of Hope on the Sound”, the four-part series will feature presentations from heart health experts on topics including prevention techniques, exercise and diet.  The luncheons are scheduled for September 13 & 28, and will be held in private homes along the Long Island Sound.     

“Given all we know about heart disease these days, many women don’t know what they can do to reduce their risk,” said Laurel Carey coordinator of the Center for Hope’s Hearts of Hope program.  “The purpose of this series is to help women identify the risk factors that lead to the disease, and offer suggestions on healthy lifestyle changes.” 

Tickets for all four luncheons will be sold as a package, and cost $500.  All proceeds will benefit Hearts of Hope – the Center for Hope’s new program for those undergoing treatment for or recovering from heart disease.  Hearts of Hope offers individual counseling, family/caregivers counseling and support groups to help cardiac patients and their families cope with the psychological issues associated with the disease.  For more information and to reserve a space, call Gloria Veeder at 203-869-4848. 

The Center for Hope provides comprehensive services for adults and children living with an illness or grieving a loss.  All counseling, support and education services are facilitated by specially-trained professionals in an atmosphere of hope and renewal.  The Center for Hope is a division Family Centers – a private, nonprofit organization offering education and human services to children, adults and families in Fairfield County. The agency is also licensed by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. 

For more information, visit www.centerforhope.org.