St. Norbert College calls for "RED OUT" to honor student stroke survivor during American Heart Month

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From St. Norbert College, January 1, 2012
by Mike Counter, mike.counter@snc.edu, (920) 403-3089

St. Norbert College is partnering with the American Heart Association to fight heart disease and stroke by holding a RED OUT event on Friday, February 10, 2012 at Cornerstone Community Center, 1640 Fernando Drive, Hobart beginning at 7pm during Varsity Men's Hockey.

The school will also honor college students Kaela Gedda and Kevin Reynolds and recognize those battling cardiovascular disease before the game. On the morning of April 11, 2009 after beginning to notice weakness in her left hand, Kaela had a stroke. Soon after, her doctors discovered she had a hole in her heart, which almost 25 percent of the population are affected by.

"Experiencing a stroke was life changing, an event that I never predicted having to deal with," says Kaela. "I want to tell my story so everyone is aware of what a life threatening event looks like, how to prevent it, and how important it is to become an advocate for your health once you have experienced a life-changing event. "

Kaela continues, "I am honored St. Norbert will be speaking up about cardiovascular diseases and supporting my story as well and the mission of the American Heart Association so lives will continue to be saved."
Kaela and her family and friends are asking everyone to join them in raising awareness and funds for the American Heart Association at the college's first RED OUT event. St. Norbert College leaders are asking game attendees and members the community to donate $10 for a Red Out T-shirt and wear it throughout the day Friday and at the game that evening to create awareness for the nation's No. 1 and No. 4 killers, heart disease and stroke.

Cardiovascular diseases are the biggest killer in the United States and February is American Heart Month. Every year since 1963, the president of the United States declares February to be American Heart Month in order to draw more attention to cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke.

Help support this beneficial and life saving mission. To get a shirt, call Korren Jewitt at (920) 819-0336. For more information about the American Heart Association, call (800) AHA-USA1.