COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - In less than two weeks, the American Heart Association will hold a casting call in the Midlands looking for five local women to be the face of their ‘Go Red for Women' mission.
This will be the second year for the Go Red Casting Call which organizers say is aimed at igniting action and inspiring others to take up the fight against heart disease in women.
Last year, 65-year-old Melanie Webb of Lexington County was chosen as one of the five spokeswomen. Her story begins with the story of her mother and the painful day she lost her to heart disease.
"I remember that day very well," said Webb. "Because I spoke to her that morning very early."
Melanie Webb says her mother had been on medication for heart disease, but was complaining of chest pains over the phone. Just 7 hours later, she had died of a heart attack.
"Whenever this happened we were all just devastated," said Webb. "She was 65 years old. She didn't have a gray hair on her head."
That was Webb's first encounter with the deadly disease, unfortunately it wasn't her last. She says in her late 50s she believes a more stressful work environment caused indigestion.
"I was having Tums everyday for dessert," said Webb. "I made an appointment with my doctor and had an electrocardiogram and I was set up to have a stress test -- and I said well I'll do that next week."
But next week wouldn't come the way Webb was expecting. She went to a family member's wedding and says her life changed forever.
"I was getting ready and started having indigestion again except it started going down my arms, and I said we need to find a doctor," said Webb.
Webb had a heart attack, and says what she continually tossed off as indigestion was part of the warning signs.
"I want people to know that cardiac disease for women is very different," said Webb. "It's an emotional issue because we take things to heart."
Webb says through it all she's learned healthy emotions and a healthy lifestyle are key, and it's something she hopes to pass on to others, including her grandkids.
"I stress to them all the time about eating well, exercise and about paying attention to their lifestyle," said Webb.
Seven years after her heart attack, her heart for the Go Red mission earned her a spot as a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women here in the Midlands.
"You're heart is irreplaceable, it's the most important organ in your body, it's the seed of your emotions and you can't do without it," said Webb.
A strong voice who says her second chance has left her speaking straight from the heart.
This year's Go Red Casting Call will be held Saturday, Feb. 4 from 11 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Columbia Place Mall.
If you cannot attend, you can share your story online via video at www.facebook.com/midlandsaha.
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