Golfers have the opportunity to play a round a golf and help save lives during the annual Golf is Where the Heart Is tournament to benefit the Women’s Heart Center at Banner Hospital, taking place at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 31, at Leisure World Country Club, 1548 Leisure World.
This year’s tournament includes mixed flights for singles or groups. Since 2008, organizers of this tournament have successfully raised more than $63,000, with all proceeds from each tournament benefitting the Women’s Heart Center. The newly expanded center provides education, information and preventative screenings to assist women in making healthy decisions in their lives, and helps to reduce deaths caused by heart disease.
Valley resident and golfer Carol Peterson was so impressed by the care she received at Banner Heart after suffering a heart attack, she decided to take her fight against heart disease to the golf course. She organized this tournament to help other women.
Carol asked, “Who takes care of the kids when they get sick? Mom does. Who takes care of the dad, the husband? Mom does. Who takes care of his or her parents and the family pet? Mom does. So, who is taking care of Mom?”
“This event greatly helps our efforts in raising awareness of the risk and symptoms of heart disease for women,” said Debbie Flores, CEO of Banner Heart Hospital.
The risk and incidence of heart disease starts to increase in women starting at age 40. Yet many are not aware of the symptoms. Many think of it as a man’s disease, or think the symptoms of a heart attack in men are the same for women. Since women are accustomed to being caregivers, they tend to dismiss their own symptoms, and take longer to seek medical attention.
The Women’s Heart Center hopes to raise awareness of heart disease in women of all ages. Carol’s mission is to make sure women have all the information they need, and that’s why she does this tournament every year.
Registration is $135, and $50 of that is tax deductable. To register, contact Louise Daggs at (480) 807-0935.
About the Women’s Heart Center
The Women’s Heart Center at Banner Heart Hospital provides education, information and preventative screenings to assist women in making healthy decisions in their lives, and helps to reduce deaths caused by heart disease. The center is the first of its kind in Arizona’s East Valley, and one of less than 50 nationwide. Banner Heart plans to open a full-service center soon. For more information, call the Women’s Heart Center at (480) 321-4YOU (4968).