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Emmy-nominated actress Elizabeth Banks directs and stars in the first-ever Go Red For Women short film “Just a Little Heart Attack,” inspired by the real-life stories of women who have been affected by heart disease.
The entertaining, yet poignant film, which can be viewed on Facebook.com/GoRed, provides a powerful wake-up call to Toledo women to understand their risk for heart disease and empower them to put their health first.
“Just a Little Heart Attack” shares a glimpse into the seemingly normal routine of a busy mom caring for her family: preparing breakfast for her young children and loving husband (Colin Egglesfield, Something Borrowed); finishing the laundry; helping with homework and getting an early start on her own busy work day.
The morning is quickly turned on its side when mom (Banks) finds herself stumbling through her kitchen as she ignores the warning signs of a heart attack. Banks uses her comedic talent to charm the audience while, ultimately, delivering an invaluable message about the possible consequences for women who ignore their risk of heart disease. “As women, we take care of everyone in our lives – our husbands, our kids, our mothers, our fathers, but we never look at ourselves,” said Banks. “So this little film is about a super mom who takes care of everyone except herself and learns the lesson that she better look at herself as well.”
The idea for the film’s script originated when Hollywood screenwriter Kate Kondell visited GoRedForWomen.org and read story after story of real women who had faced heart disease. “The script wrote itself from there,” Kondell said. “Women like you and me are dying at the rate of one per minute, and most of us don’t even realize we’re at risk.”
A staggering one in three American women suffers from heart disease, yet only one in five believes she is personally at risk. This disconnect can leave many women unmotivated to act and even to treat heart disease.
“Unfortunately, there is a huge gap between awareness and action among women,” said Wendy Keener, Go Red For Women Director for the American Heart Association, Northwest Ohio Division. “Until women fully recognize their risk for heart disease – and take personal responsibility for preventing it – we will continue to lose the battle against the disparities of awareness, care and treatment among women.”
Go Red For Women asks area women to “Make It Your Mission” to fight the number-one killer of women. Visit Facebook.com/GoRed today to watch the short film and share it with five women you love.
Go Red For Women is nationally sponsored by Macy’s and Merck & Co., Inc.
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