Go Red volunteer tells her story from the heart
Amanda L. Gonzalez of Worcester is a college graduate, working woman, volunteer — and heart disease survivor.
Ms. Gonzalez, 23, a pre-school assistant with the Guild of St. Agnes in Worcester, was chosen by the American Heart Association’s Greater Boston Division as one of six Go Red for Women campaign spokeswomen. Among her assignments, Ms. Gonzalez will appear as a model Wednesday at the Go Red in Your Own Fashion Show at Worcester Art Museum. She’s also in a commercial airing on Charter TV.
Ms. Gonzalez’ message to women is simple: Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, so women need to eat healthier, exercise more, know their weight and cholesterol numbers and not be afraid to see the doctor.
When she was 17, Ms. Gonzalez learned that the difference between life and death can be measured in a heartbeat. That was when she lost consciousness and fell in the shower — the first sign of the life-threatening heart arrhythmia called torsade that she now manages with an implanted defibrillator.
“I was in cardiac arrest. My heart stopped,” said Ms. Gonzalez last week, remembering that day. “When I woke up I could not move my tongue or my body; I felt paralyzed. Words came out like baby talk. My eyes were blurry. I knew something was wrong … but I never thought it was my heart. I was young.”
During her years at the College of the Holy Cross, which included a medical leave for therapy and cardiac rehabilitation, Ms. Gonzalez worked to overcome what she described as the fear, anxiety and paranoia that for her accompanied the life-saving function of the defibrillator.
She learned to overcome wariness of doing anything that might raise her heartbeat; she began exercising again.
In May, Ms. Gonzalez graduated with a degree in visual arts. “It was the best day of my life,” she said.
FCHP to distribute $150,000 for hunger relief
More than 60 Massachusetts companies contributed donations and support for a food pantry and hunger relief fundraising effort organized by Worcester-based Fallon Community Health Plan.
As a result, the health plan announced that it will distribute more than $150,000 in net proceeds as grants to regional food banks and food distribution agencies. “The statistics are alarming and the critical need for food and nutritional support continues to grow,” said Mary C. Ritter, senior vice president of strategy and communications at Fallon Community Health Plan.
Among businesses recognized for their donations and support were: CVS Caremark, TD Bank, Reliant Medical Group and Protector Group.
Among nearly 80 hunger relief organizations receiving grants were: People’s First Food Pantry, Uxbridge; Friends of Millbury Seniors, Millbury; Jubilee Cupboard, Ware; Jeremiah’s Inn, Worcester; Ginny’s Food Pantry, Leominster; and Salvation Army, Athol.
Businesses help out with playground fund
Donations of $650 and $275, respectively, raised by the Hubbardston restaurant Calico and Crème and Plain View Farm, also in Hubbardston, have helped push the total amount collected so far by the Hubbardston Center School Playground Committee to $20,000.
Through donations, grants and fundraising events, the committee hopes to raise $80,000 to build a playground at the Hubbardston Center School.
Rollstone gives $5,000 for safety equipment
Rollstone Bank Trust of Fitchburg recently gave $5,000 to the Fitchburg Fire and EMS departments for the purchase of four self-contained breathing apparatus cylinders — devices holding compressed breathing air and that are used in hazardous environments.
“Our firefighters and other first responders are critical to the community’s safety,” said Martin F. Connors Jr., Rollstone president and chief executive officer. “We are grateful for their service and honored to provide them with this life-saving equipment.”
To have Good Deeds published, send information to BusinessMatters, Telegram Gazette, Box 15012, Worcester, MA 01615-0012, or email tgbiz@telegram.com.
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