TODAY’S COMPLETE SCRIPT
Virginia Woman Recognized for Work Raising Heart-Health Awareness
A Virginia woman has won a 2022 American Heart Association Woman of Impact award for her work raising awareness and funds to support heart health. Her victory came as she was facing her own struggle with heart disease. Comments from Megan Bucholz (Book-holtz), 2022 Woman of Impact winner.
Intro: Heart disease is one of the most pervasive medical issues in America. One survivor says she hopes her experience can provide an important lesson on how to spot early signs of heart issues. In 2021, Megan Bucholz was struggling with long-haul COVID and recovering from a pulmonary embolism, when one night her smart watch alerted her she was experiencing an abnormal heartbeat. She checked into the hospital, where the doctors caught the issue and put her on medication before it could progress. She hopes other women can learn from her experience.
:08 "I really just want to encourage women to really take a good hard look at themselves and make sure that they're taking care of themselves, especially their heart."
|
Tag: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the number one cause of death among American women, causing about one out of every five female deaths in 2017. Bucholz, who has a background in health care, says there are a few simple steps folks can take to maintain heart health, including a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Second Cut: Bucholz was in the midst of fundraising for the American Heart Association’s Woman of Impact campaign when her medical event happened. She continued that work while she was recovering. At the end of the nine-week campaign, she had raised more than 20-thousand dollars to support women's heart health. She was later named the region's 2022 Woman of Impact winner for her work.
:13 "The fundraising is really about raising awareness for heart health, and I thought, 'What a great opportunity to raise awareness, as I'm actually having an event that is part of what I'm raising funds for.'"
|
Tag: According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is a particularly pervasive issue for Black women. Nearly half of all Black women above the age of 20 have some form of heart disease, and the issue kills about 50-thousand Black women annually.
OPTIONAL REPORTER WRAP: uses first soundbite(s)
|
LEDE: Heart disease is one of the most pervasive medical issues in America. One survivor says she hopes her experience can provide an important lesson on how to spot early signs of heart issues. Jonah Chester reports.
|
:47 Outcue...Jonah Chester reporting. ...
|
Note to Editors: Bucholz at megan.buchholz@unifiedhc.com. Data on heart disease among women: https://bit.ly/3wSNoS8. AHA data: https://bit.ly/3MXd8SN.
|