THE BUZZ: On Saturday, March 26th, 2011, I participated in the American Heart Association’s Harlem Go Red for Women Educational Forum & Luncheon at City College in New York. It was a sea of beautiful red and an afternoon of fun and facts.

Star Jones was the master of ceremonies and she certainly spoke from the heart. It’s been just one year since the 48-year-old had open heart surgery and the experience has given her a new purpose. She explained:

“I have such a big mouth and I have a big platform. I do think that when you’re a public person, a so-called celebrity, you should use that platform for something other than getting a good table at a nice restaurant.”

The former View co-host is representing the American Heart Association on this season of Celebrity Apprentice and has already won $170,000 for the organization.

To set the stage for the afternoon, AHA’s past president Dr. Clyde Yancy was interviewed by Star “TV-style”. The Heart to Heart expert panel, which I was delighted to be a part of, offered practical advice for heart-healthy living. Former NBA player Cuttino Mobley received the first “Man with Heart Award” and shared his own story regarding his heart condition, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The day also included a skit by students from Touro College of Pharmacy, as well as health screenings.

Heart disease is the number one killer in the U.S. – 82 million people in the United States suffer from some form of cardiovascular disease, and African-Americans are disproportionately affected. I’ve lost seven family members to heart disease and stroke, which is why I am honored to serve as a national volunteer and spokesperson for the American Heart Association / American Stroke Association. Find out more about AHA’s “Simple 7″ and their efforts to build a world free of cardiovascular disease.

Posted by Teresa Kay-Aba Kennedy, Ph.D., MBA

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