Thursday, February 21, 2013

Soroptimists to Fund Cholesterol Testing



Soroptimist International of Calaveras County (SICC) will again offer free Take Women to Heart lipid panel screenings to Calaveras County women during the months of April and May 2013.

Heart attack and stroke are the No. 1 killers of women in the United States.  For women, the odds of dying due to heart disease, heart attack, or stroke are significantly higher than dying of cancer.  SICC has enjoyed an on-going partnership on this project with Mark Twain Medical Center since 2006.
 
A number of factors go into determining a person’s heart health. Readings of good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol levels and triglycerides and a risk evaluation for heart disease are a place to start.  During 2012’s two month long screenings, nearly 380 local women were tested. Awareness of personal risk and treatment options can empower a woman to live a long and healthy life.

Tests are performed either at Mark Twain Medical Center or at any of the five Family Medical Centers throughout Calaveras County. Testing requires a 12-hour fast and completion of a simple voucher.

To support future funding for SICC’s Take Women to Heart projects, SICC is hosting a Chili-Cookoff Challenge fundraiser on Saturday, May 4, 2013, at the historic Murphy’s Hotel courtyard.

To learn more about the free screening tests and/or the Chili Cookoff, please call (209) 736-1947.